1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Also called: Maracanazo
The first World Cup in twelve years. Needing only a draw in the last match of the final round, Brazil lost 1–2 to Uruguay before some 200,000 people at the Maracanã — the “Maracanazo”.
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After two tournaments lost to the Second World War, the World Cup returned in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July 1950. A string of withdrawals left only thirteen teams. England, taking part for the first time, stunned the world by losing 0–1 to the United States at Belo Horizonte. There was no final as such: the four group winners played a round-robin to decide the title.
Going into the last match at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã on 16 July, Brazil needed only a draw. The official attendance was some 173,000, the real crowd nearer 200,000. Friaça put Brazil ahead just after half-time, but Schiaffino equalized and, eleven minutes from the end, Ghiggia scored the winner for Uruguay, 2–1. The stadium fell silent; Brazilians still call the defeat the “Maracanazo”. Brazil afterwards abandoned its white shirts for yellow.