The footballing career of Mel Charles, who has died aged 81, was inevitably compared with that of his more illustrious brother, the Leeds United and Juventus hero John Charles. The brothers shared some attributes: both were tall and powerfully built, and both could operate as successfully at centre-half as at centre-forward. But when it came to what was then the finest performance ever given by a Welsh international team, in the 1958 World Cup quarterfinal in Gothenburg between Wales and the eventual winners, Brazil, it was Mel who played and excelled.
John had been injured in the previous game against Hungary, a bruising play-off in which he figured at centre-forward. There were those who believed that had John been able to play in Gothenburg, Wales might even have won, since they put over more high, searching crosses that day than in any previous game, and John was formidable with his head.
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