BRAZIL 1-2 URUGUAY

As hosts for the fourth World Cup in 1950, Brazil were overwhelming favourites to take the title. In an unusual format, there were no semi-finals or final but instead Brazil, having won their group, were joined in a final pool by Sweden, Spain and 1930 champions Uruguay, appearing in the tournament for the first time since that success. Brazil and Uruguay were to meet in the final match, and the earlier results ensured that this game would decide the title. Brazil, having beaten both Sweden and Spain, needed only a draw but Uruguay, who had been held by Spain, had to win. The match was played in front of a world record crowd of nearly 200,000 in the Maracaná Stadium.

Brazil were expected win comfortably, and despite needing only a draw the powerful Brazilian forward line attacked Uruguay from the start. Uruguay defended strongly, and managed to hold out until half-time. The hosts came out strongly again after the interval, and within two minutes of the restart finally broke through. Leading goalscorer Ademir set up Friaça for the opening goal, and it seemed that the Brazilian crowd could relax.

Brazil should have been in total control, but instead of supporting the defence and holding on to the lead their forwards kept attacking. Uruguay did not give up, and saw their chance when Brazil kept leaving gaps at the back in an attempt to put the game out of reach. Right winger Alcide Ghiggia was frequently left with yards of space, and with twenty-four minutes remaining he took advantage of Brazil's careless defending to cross for Juan Schiaffino to head in the equaliser.

Uruguay's confidence soared, and with Brazil now holding on to the draw that they needed their tactical failings were increasingly exposed. As the match entered the last fifteen minutes, Brazil still seemed reluctant to defend in any numbers and continued to push for more goals. Ghiggia was causing problems every time he ran at his marker Bigode, and with eleven minutes left he rounded the Brazilian half back and ran towards goal. This time he did not cross, closing in on Brazilian goalkeeper Barbosa and shooting Uruguay into the lead.

Brazil were now desperate for a goal, but they had lost control of the match and Uruguay's defence was much stronger and better organised. There was no way through for the Brazilian forwards, and when the final whistle went players and fans alike were in tears. The odds-on favourites had been beaten 2-1, and Uruguay had won the World Cup for the second time in only the second tournament they had entered.