VAVA
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REAL NAME: Edvaldo Izidio Neto
BORN: November 12, 1934
COUNTRY: Brazil
WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 10 games
CLUBS: Recife, Vasco da Gama, Palmeiras, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo
INTRODUCTION: Two-time World Cup-winning striker with Brazil. Joint top-scorer in the 1962 Cup.
CAREER INTERNATIONAL GOALS: 15 in 20 games
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1958 World Cup - Sweden
Vavà was the player who spearheaded Brazil's attack in their 1958 triumph. He always score World Cup goals in the most crucial times. In 1958, Mazzola, his original striking partner, was distracted by his club transfer and lost form. And Brazil had to win the match against USSR to ensure qualification to the second round.
So Feola replaced Mazzola with Pelè and also brought in winger Garrincha to boost the attack. Vavà responded to the situation superbly, scoring two goals in that game. After all, not many players can beat the famous Soviet Union 'keeper Yashin twice in a match.
Vavà combined impeccably with Garrincha and Didi, finished off many of their fine moves. In the final game against Sweden, Vava scored twice, connecting to Garrincha's low crosses both times and finished the tournament with 5 goals.
1962 World Cup - Chile
After the 1958 World Cup, Vavà moved to Spain and was playing successfully at Atletico Madrid. Because of Vavà's exile, Santos' Coutinho, Pelè's striking partner, stood a high chance of being selected for the 1962 tournament. Homesick and wanted to play in the Chile World Cup, Vavà returned to Brazil to play for Botafogo, in the process booked a place in the starting line-up.
But soon after the tournament started, just like in Sweden four years ago, Vavà had to form a strike force with a new player. Pelè was injured in the second game against Czeshoslovakia and the coach used Amarildo for the next match against Spain. Vavà took some time to adjust to his new partner but just as in Sweden, he managed to find the net in the crucial moments.
He scored at least one goal in each of the second round games, including two in the semi-final against Chile. Brazil's new forward line of Vavà, Garrincha and Amarildo found form and thus the Jules Rimet trophy remained with Brazil.
RECORD
The only player to score in consecutive World Cup finals. (1958, 1962)
One of two players to score in two World Cup finals.
HIS GOALS IN THE WORLD CUP - COMPLETE RECORD
| 1958 |
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| 1st round: 3rd match |
v. USSR (2) |
| Semi-final |
v. France |
| Final |
v. Sweden (2) |
| 1962 |
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| Quarter-final |
v. England |
| Semi-final |
v. Chile (2) |
| Final |
v. Czechoslovakia |
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