The World Cup in 1966. Portugal was with their backs against the wall in their match with North Korea, 3-0 facing one of their most embarassing defeats. Enter: Eusebio Ferrieira Da Silva. In an extraordinary explosion of soccer wizardry the world would see, Eusebio scored four goals. With his lightning fast acceleration, dribbling skills, and a lethal right foot he stunned the Koreans.
Portugal went on to win the match 5-3. A star was born. Eusebio scored nine goals, the most in WC 1966. Portugal finished third, the best finish that they have had to date in WC, losing to England in the semi-final to a brace scored by Bobby Charlton, 1-2.
Eusebio finished his career leading Benfica to 10 championship leagues and 5 cups. He sored a phenomenal 727 goals in 715 matches for Benfica. The most ever for a Portugese player. He scored twice in the European Cup final in 1962 against Alfred De Stefano’s Real Madrid side to help Benfica win 5-3.
And in his first match for Benfica, a friendly against Santos played in Paris in 1960, Eusebio scored a goal within minutes. He went on to score three. One of his opponents was none other than Pele.
Not bad for a lad born in Maputo, Mozambique.
Eusebio paved the way for a generation of future African superstars like Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Henri Camara, El Hadji Diouf, and Mohamed Sissoko .
Eusebio