– most notably Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm at A.C. Milan – were therefore unavailable for a call up. On 25 June 1950, Sweden faced Italy in the first game of the tournament. Skoglund played the whole game as Sweden surprisingly won 3–2 with one Italian newspaper labelling him as Sweden's "best asset". Skoglund's efforts also earned him a new nickname: "The swaying corn-cob", as a reference to his blond hair and running style. However, Skoglund did not appear again after a 7–1 defeat to hosts Brazil in the final group stage. After a controversy with the national team coach Putte Kock regarding issues related to behaviour, Skoglund got deemed surplus to requirements along with Stellan Nilsson ahead of the team's two remaining matches against Uruguay and Spain. Sweden would eventually secure a third place at the tournament and win their first World Cup medal throughout history. Skoglund was not called up to the national team again until the 1958 World Cup on home soil, in accordance with the Swedish Football Association's policy to ban professional players from representing the side. Ahead of said tournament they, however, had a change of heart and opted to recall exiles like Skoglund. Skoglund appeared in all six of Sweden's games and in the semifinal against West Germany, Skoglund scored his first and only goal for his country in a 3–1 win, as he slid home the equaliser from a tight angle. During the early stages of the tournament Skoglund had, however, launched an astonishing attack on his coach George Raynor. Skoglund criticised the manager's training methods and said: In the final against Brazil at Råsunda Stadium, Skoglund was neutralized by defender Djalma Santos as Sweden lost 2–5. Sweden finished runners-up to a team inspired by the genius of young talents like Pelé and Garrincha. Skoglund was, however, voted as the best left winger in the whole tournament. Skoglund would not win another cap for his country until several years later. His good friend Agne Simonsson, a teammate from the 1958 World Cup, had convinced the Swedish Football Association on calling up Skoglund for a friendly against Poland in October 1964. Aged 34, Skoglund played his 11th and last international game as Sweden drew 3–3. Style of play Lennart Skoglund's fine ball-control, excellent left foot and fine distribution made him a big favourite with the fans. During his transformation from a young