sport news It's been 64 years but what happened last time Wales reached the World Cup? trends now

Look back at their record over the last six years, and it is very easy to forget that Wales have a long and painful history when it comes to international competitions. 

In recent years, Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen have spear-headed a side that has qualified for three of the last four major tournaments - a better record than the likes of traditional powerhouses Italy and Holland.

But when Hal Robson-Kanu briefly became possessed by the spirit of Johan Cruyff against Belgium at Euro 2016, Chris Coleman's valiant side were making just their first appearance at a European Championship. 

For whatever reason, the nation that has produced the likes of Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush, never cracked the art of international qualification.

Their last showing at a major tournament before that stunning run to the Euro 2016 semi finals? The 1958 World Cup in Sweden. 

Here Sportsmail rolls back the years to take a look at what happened the last time Wales made it to the World Cup finals, 64 years ago.

Sweden 1958 was memorable for many things, be it the first - and so far only - World Cup to be played in a Nordic country, the stage for Just Fontaine's remarkable 13-goal tally, or the fact that it was the only time all four home nations have ever qualified for the same tournament. 

But for Welsh fans, it is a double-edged memory. Simultaneously evoking a sense of pride that their side could compete alongside the might of West Germany, Brazil and the Soviet Union, but also tinged with the disappointment of numerous failed campaigns since then. 

Wales arrived at the tournament having been through the jeopardy of a play-off, much like the current side have managed. But only just. This time, though, the opponent was the recently-formed Israel, who won passage past Turkey, Indonesia and Sudan without ever kicking a ball. 

Having finished as runner-up in their group behind Czechoslovakia, Wales were entered into a draw with the European nations to finish in second place, and only after Belgium refused to play, it was Wales who were given the chance at qualification in a bizarre twist of fate.

And they grabbed the opportunity with both hands, romping to an emphatic 4-0 win on aggregate to book their ticket to Sweden '58, courtesy of a goal in each leg from legendary Swansea midfielder Ivor Allchurch, and a goal apiece from captain and Arsenal winger David Bowen and Tottenham's Cliff Jones.

A midfielder with countless games for Swansea, and a star duo with links to Arsenal and Tottenham. You couldn't write it.

The side was lead by Jimmy Murphy, who spent the rest of his time assisting Matt Busby at Manchester United. In fact, Murphy's involvement in Wales' play-off with Israel was the only thing that kept him from boarding a plane in Munich on February 6, 1958 - the day of the Munich air disaster, in which 11 United players and coaching staff tragically died. 

Having reached the finals against the odds, Wales were rewarded with a fairly straight forward Group 3 draw. 

They would face Mexico, hosts Sweden and a Hungary team that narrowly missed out on glory last time round after a Helmut Rahn wonder goal for West Germany. They would be without the great Ferenc Puskas, though - one of many to flee the country after the 1956 Revolution. 

Their own prolific forward, John Charles, who left Great Britain for the continent on a British record deal - sound familiar? - was only allowed to join up with the side four days before their opening clash, with Charles' side Juventus loathe to let their topscorer go. 

'There had been problems getting Juventus to release John Charles,' said Jones of the man fondly referred to as Il Gigante Buono, (the Gentle Giant) for both his size and his Lineker-esque record of never receiving a yellow.

'They were pretty reluctant to let him join us in Sweden but the clearance came through at the last minute.  

'He was a one-off. I couldn’t think of any better player in the world at that time. If there was a better centre forward I hadn’t seen one and I hadn’t come up against a better centre half.'

Charles himself said of the ordeal: 'I was beginning to feel very downhearted. It was a relief when I was told I could go. After all, how many times does a player get to play in the World Cup?'

Well, if you're Lothar Mathaus then you get 25 opportunities, but the 1990 winner undoubtedly played each and every game as if it was his last. 

But with that final complication resolved, Wales embarked on their first ever World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Hungary on Sunday, June 8 1958. The Mighty Magyars took the lead through Jozsef Bozsik

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