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1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil — The Triumph, the Tension, and the Maracanazo

The 1950 FIFA World Cup marked the return of the tournament after a 12-year break caused by World War II. Brazil hosted the event from June 24 to July 16, building massive new stadiums, including the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, which could hold over 200,000 spectators.

Thirteen teams competed, divided into four groups. Unlike modern formats, there was no knockout stage after the first round. Instead, the winners of each group advanced to a final round-robin group to determine the champion. Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden, and Spain made it to this decisive stage.

Brazil’s squad entered the tournament with high expectations. They had a powerful attack featuring Zizinho, Ademir, and Jair, and they dominated their early matches. In the final round, Brazil crushed Sweden 7–1 and then dismantled Spain 6–1, creating an atmosphere of national confidence before the decisive match against Uruguay.

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The final game took place on July 16, 1950, at the Maracanã. A record-breaking crowd filled the stadium, with most expecting a Brazilian victory. Uruguay needed to win to claim the title, while a draw would be enough for Brazil. Brazil scored first through Friaça early in the second half, sending the crowd into celebration.

Uruguay responded with precision. Juan Alberto Schiaffino equalized in the 66th minute. In the 79th minute, Alcides Ghiggia broke through on the right wing and scored the winning goal past goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa. The stadium fell silent, and Uruguay secured a 2–1 victory.

This shock result became known as the Maracanazo — the “Maracanã Blow.” It stunned Brazil and became one of the most famous upsets in sports history. Ghiggia later remarked that only three people had silenced the Maracanã: Frank Sinatra, the Pope, and himself.

Attendance figures, playing styles, and even political tensions made the 1950 World Cup unique. It was the last tournament without a final match in the modern sense, and the last where goal difference wasn’t used to separate teams in the group stage. It also introduced the world to the idea that football could produce moments as dramatic and devastating as any other event in national life.

#1 A major obstacle for FIFA proved to be organising the countries who would enter the tournament. Occupied Germany and Japan were both banned, while a number of countries from around the world pulled out of qualifying – citing reasons including travel costs to inexperience – though 15 teams from the Americas, Europe and Asia were eventually drawn into groups ahead of the competition. The England team (pictured), ready to make their World Cup debut, board a plane for Brazil.

A major obstacle for FIFA proved to be organising the countries who would enter the tournament. Occupied Germany and Japan were both banned, while a number of countries from around the world pulled out of qualifying - citing reasons including travel costs to inexperience – though 15 teams from the Americas, Europe and Asia were eventually drawn into groups ahead of the competition. The England team (pictured), ready to make their World Cup debut, board a plane for Brazil.

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#2 The tournament began with hosts Brazil taking on Mexico in the opening fixture – a comfortable 4-0 win for the Seleção. Striker Ademir scored twice, the first of the eight goals that eventually won him the tournament’s Golden Boot award.

The tournament began with hosts Brazil taking on Mexico in the opening fixture - a comfortable 4-0 win for the Seleção. Striker Ademir scored twice, the first of the eight goals that eventually won him the tournament’s Golden Boot award.

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#3 Reigning champions Italy had never suffered defeat at the World Cup, winning the previous two tournaments without losing a match (they did not take part in the 1930 World Cup). However, the Azzurri – weakened by the loss of several players in the 1939 Superga air disaster – lost 3-2 in a shock defeat to eventual Group 3 winners Sweden in their opening fixture.

Reigning champions Italy had never suffered defeat at the World Cup, winning the previous two tournaments without losing a match (they did not take part in the 1930 World Cup). However, the Azzurri – weakened by the loss of several players in the 1939 Superga air disaster – lost 3-2 in a shock defeat to eventual Group 3 winners Sweden in their opening fixture.

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#4 The surprises in Brazil would continue, as the US completed one of the most shocking victories in World Cup history by defeating England in their second group stage fixture. The star-studded England team had defeated Chile by two goals in their opening encounter and were heavy favourites against a US side containing several semi-professional players, which had had slipped to a 3-1 to Spain four days earlier. However, the match did not go according to form, as Joe Gaetjens – pictured being carried from the pitch after the game – headed the winning goal for the US in the first half to set up a victory later dubbed “The Miracle on Grass”.

The surprises in Brazil would continue, as the US completed one of the most shocking victories in World Cup history by defeating England in their second group stage fixture. The star-studded England team had defeated Chile by two goals in their opening encounter and were heavy favourites against a US side containing several semi-professional players, which had had slipped to a 3-1 to Spain four days earlier. However, the match did not go according to form, as Joe Gaetjens – pictured being carried from the pitch after the game – headed the winning goal for the US in the first half to set up a victory later dubbed “The Miracle on Grass”.

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#5 The hosts had been held to a 2-2 draw in their second match, but secured first place in Group 1 and progression to the second group stage with a 2-0 defeat of Yugoslavia in front of a crowd of 142,000 at the Maracanã.

The hosts had been held to a 2-2 draw in their second match, but secured first place in Group 1 and progression to the second group stage with a 2-0 defeat of Yugoslavia in front of a crowd of 142,000 at the Maracanã.

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#6 Before the start of the tournament, France withdrew from Group 4, leaving remaining teams Uruguay and Bolivia to play in the pool’s only fixture. The Uruguayans – playing in their first World Cup since their victory in 1930 – won 8-0, thanks in part to striker Óscar Míguez’s hat trick, and progressed to the second group stage.

Before the start of the tournament, France withdrew from Group 4, leaving remaining teams Uruguay and Bolivia to play in the pool’s only fixture. The Uruguayans – playing in their first World Cup since their victory in 1930 - won 8-0, thanks in part to striker Óscar Míguez’s hat trick, and progressed to the second group stage.

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#7 England could not recover from their shock defeat to the US, and lost 1-0 to Spain thanks to Telmo Zarra’s goal. Spain finished top of Group 2 and progressed to the second group stage.

England could not recover from their shock defeat to the US, and lost 1-0 to Spain thanks to Telmo Zarra’s goal. Spain finished top of Group 2 and progressed to the second group stage.

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#8 The four winners of each group then met in a final group, the winner of which would be crowned world champions. Brazil topped the table on four points going into the final round of fixtures, after heavy 7-1 and 6-1 defeats of Sweden (pictured) and Spain respectively. A point behind were Uruguay, who snatched a 3-2 victory over Sweden with two goals in the last 13 minutes to move into second with one game remaining.

The four winners of each group then met in a final group, the winner of which would be crowned world champions. Brazil topped the table on four points going into the final round of fixtures, after heavy 7-1 and 6-1 defeats of Sweden (pictured) and Spain respectively. A point behind were Uruguay, who snatched a 3-2 victory over Sweden with two goals in the last 13 minutes to move into second with one game remaining.

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#9 On the same day as the Brazil-Uruguay fixture, Sweden faced Spain to decide the rest of the group. Despite beginning the game bottom of the table, Sweden claimed third place with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Estádio do Pacaembu in São Paulo.

On the same day as the Brazil-Uruguay fixture, Sweden faced Spain to decide the rest of the group. Despite beginning the game bottom of the table, Sweden claimed third place with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Estádio do Pacaembu in São Paulo.

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#10 Meanwhile, in front of a reported crowd of over 200,000 – about 100 of whom were Uruguayan – Brazil prepared to take on Uruguay (pictured) at the Maracanã. The Seleção, top scorers in the tournament with 21 goals and playing in front of their own fans began the game as favourites and needed either a draw or a win to be crowned world champions. Only victory would allow Uruguay to lift the World Cup.

Meanwhile, in front of a reported crowd of over 200,000 – about 100 of whom were Uruguayan - Brazil prepared to take on Uruguay (pictured) at the Maracanã. The Seleção, top scorers in the tournament with 21 goals and playing in front of their own fans began the game as favourites and needed either a draw or a win to be crowned world champions. Only victory would allow Uruguay to lift the World Cup.

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#11 They played like favourites too, attacking the Uruguayan goal throughout the first half and hitting with 17 shots without reward. Above, Brazilian forward Francisco Aramburu unsuccessfully shoots at goal. However, the host’s luck would change two minutes into the second period, when forward Friaça struck the ball low past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

They played like favourites too, attacking the Uruguayan goal throughout the first half and hitting with 17 shots without reward. Above, Brazilian forward Francisco Aramburu unsuccessfully shoots at goal. However, the host’s luck would change two minutes into the second period, when forward Friaça struck the ball low past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

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#12 Despite taking the lead, Brazil were unable to capitalise on their advantage. Uruguay captain Obdulio Varela had helped subside the crowd’s celebrations by wasting time arguing with the linesman following the opening goal, and his side were level on 66 minutes through Juan Alberto Schiaffino, who smashed Alcides Ghiggia’s cross high in to the top corner (pictured).

Despite taking the lead, Brazil were unable to capitalise on their advantage. Uruguay captain Obdulio Varela had helped subside the crowd’s celebrations by wasting time arguing with the linesman following the opening goal, and his side were level on 66 minutes through Juan Alberto Schiaffino, who smashed Alcides Ghiggia’s cross high in to the top corner (pictured).

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#13 The equalising goal changed the state of the game, as suddenly Uruguay were on top. Unlike their opponents, they were able to add a crucial second goal too. With just 11 minutes left to play, Ghiggia counterattacked from wide with the ball, driving into the penalty area before squeezing the ball under a Brazil goalkeeper expecting the winger to cross. Uruguay would hold on, Ghiggia’s goal proving to be decisive in claiming his country’s second World Cup win and leaving both Brazil players and fans in stunned silence.

The equalising goal changed the state of the game, as suddenly Uruguay were on top. Unlike their opponents, they were able to add a crucial second goal too. With just 11 minutes left to play, Ghiggia counterattacked from wide with the ball, driving into the penalty area before squeezing the ball under a Brazil goalkeeper expecting the winger to cross. Uruguay would hold on, Ghiggia’s goal proving to be decisive in claiming his country’s second World Cup win and leaving both Brazil players and fans in stunned silence.

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#14 Following the final whistle, there were reports of 169 cases of fans treated for hysteria after a completely unexpected Uruguayan victory. The organisers were left bewildered too: the gold medals they had prepared for Brazil team went unused, as did a purpose-written celebratory samba song. Captain and man-of-the-match Varela was awarded the World Cup trophy by Jules Rimet, FIFA president at that time, amidst a rush of policemen and journalists in the middle of the pitch (pictured).

Following the final whistle, there were reports of 169 cases of fans treated for hysteria after a completely unexpected Uruguayan victory. The organisers were left bewildered too: the gold medals they had prepared for Brazil team went unused, as did a purpose-written celebratory samba song. Captain and man-of-the-match Varela was awarded the World Cup trophy by Jules Rimet, FIFA president at that time, amidst a rush of policemen and journalists in the middle of the pitch (pictured).

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#15 Victory also protected Uruguay’s unbeaten World Cup record, and ensured their players (pictured) would go down in Uruguayan football history. The repercussions for the Brazil team were much harsher: players were vilified and few ever played for their country again. The result did however give rise to Brazil’s now-famous yellow shirt, which replaced the white – considered to be unlucky – worn by the team in the final.

Victory also protected Uruguay’s unbeaten World Cup record, and ensured their players (pictured) would go down in Uruguayan football history. The repercussions for the Brazil team were much harsher: players were vilified and few ever played for their country again. The result did however give rise to Brazil’s now-famous yellow shirt, which replaced the white – considered to be unlucky - worn by the team in the final.

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Written by Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson is an archaeologist and historian who specializes in the study of war and conflict. He writes about the brutal history of warfare, including the World Wars and other significant conflicts. Through his work, he aims to deepen our understanding of the human cost of conflict and inspire us to work towards a more peaceful future.

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