IV WORLD CUP (BRAZIL 1950)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 24-06-1950 to 16-07-1950)

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 24-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 81.649 REFEREE: George Reader (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Ademir 30’); 2-0 (Jair 65’); 3-0 (Baltazar 71’); 4-0 (Ademir 79’) [Incidents: Opening game of the World Cup, preceded by an inaugural ceremony with fireworks, a gun salute and the release of countless balloons and pigeons.]
		Brazil - Mexico
		4-0 (1-0)
BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal, Ely Danilo, Bigode Maneca, Ademir, Baltazar, Jair, Friaça COACH: Flávio Costa			MEXICO Carbajal Zetter, Ochoa, Montemayor (c) Ruiz, Roca Septién, Ortiz, Casarín, Pérez, Velázquez COACH: Octavio Vial
GAME SUMMARY Inaugural game at the impressive Maracanã stadium, which was still under construction when the World Cup started. When Ademir scored the first goal for Brazil, dozens of reporters and radio commentators ran onto the pitch for on-the-spot interviews, and the referee had to stop the game until the field was cleared. The game was quite one-sided, and Carbajal was the best Mexican player, saving many more goals than he conceded (in addition to several woodwork hit by the Brazilian strikers). Brazil started the game with heavy tailwind, and this caused many imprecisions in their passing due to the lightness of the new ball. Under these conditions, Mexico could defend orderly and goalkeeper Carbajal produced several decisive saves. After the half hour mark, however, the inside-right Ademir opened the score with a ground shot, and the local crowd welcomed the first goal of the tournament with a battery of rockets and firecrackers. In the second half, with headwind, Brazil could play the ball with precision ground passes, and added three more goals to their tally. After twenty minutes, Baltazar played Jair with a through ball and the inside-left beat Carbajal with a cross-shot. Five minutes later, center-forward Baltazar made it 3-0 with a volley. The best goal of the evening was the last one, scored by Ademir with a powerful shot after dribbling past several defenders.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 25-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 29.703 REFEREE: Karel van der Meer (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Mortensen 39’); 2-0 (Mannion 51’)
		England - Chile
		2-0 (1-0)
ENGLAND Williams Ramsey, Hughes, Aston Wright (c), Dickinson Finney, Mannion, Bentley, Mortensen, Mullen COACH: Walter Winterbottom			CHILE Livingstone (c) Álvarez, Roldán, Busquets Farías, Carvallo Mayanés, Cremaschi, Robledo, Muñoz, Díaz Zambrano COACH: Alberto Buccicardi
GAME SUMMARY During the first half, Chile seeked to surprise England taking advantage of the alledged fragility of the English defense, and Robledo and Carvallo almost scored for the South American team (their shots hit the woodwork). However, just before halftime Mortensen headed in Mullen’s cross to make it 1-0 for England, and early in the second half Mannion steered a cross inside the post.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Durival de Britto e Silva (Curitiba) DATE: 25-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.511 REFEREE: Mário Gonçalves Vianna (BRA) GOALS: 0-1 (Pariani 17’); 1-1 (Igoa 81’); 2-1 (Basora 83’); 3-1 (Zarra 89’) [Incidents: The US captain for this game was Keough (instead of the usual captain Bahr) because he could speak Spanish.]
		Spain - USA
		3-1 (0-1)
SPAIN Eizaguirre Alonso, Antúnez, Gonzalvo II Gonzalvo III, Puchades Basora, Hernández, Zarra, Igoa, Gaínza (c) COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre			USA Borghi Maca, Keough (c), McIlvenny Colombo, Bahr Wolanin, J. Souza, Gaetjens, Pariani, Wallace COACH: Bill Jeffrey
GAME SUMMARY The American team stunned Spain in minute 17 when Pariani tallied with a shot that surprised Eizaguirre. In spite of their domination, the Spaniards failed to produce clear scoring opportunities in the first forty-five minutes. After the half hour mark, Igoa thought he had scored the equalizer, but the referee disallowed his goal for offside. The fruitless Spanish control continued during the second half, while the US defended orderly. Finally, the “Spanish Fury” struck in the last ten minutes of the game thanks to a spectacular header by Igoa in minute 81, an unstoppable shot by Basora two minutes later, and a close-range shot by Zarra in minute 89.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 25-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 36.502 REFEREE: Jean Lutz (SWI) GOALS: 0-1 (Carapellese 7’); 1-1 (Jeppson 25’); 2-1 (Andersson 33’); 3-1 (Jeppson 68’); 3-2 (Muccinelli 75’)
		Sweden - Italy
		3-2 (2-1)
SWEDEN Kalle Svensson Samuelsson, Nordahl, E. Nilsson (c) Andersson, Gärd Sundqvist, Palmér, Jeppson, Skoglund, S. Nilsson COACH: George Raynor			ITALY Sentimenti Giovannini, Parola, Furiassi Annovazzi, Magli Muccinelli, Boniperti, Cappello, Campatelli, Carapellese (c) COACH: Ferruccio Novo
GAME SUMMARY Although Sweden didn’t include in their squad the famous GRE-NO-LI forward trio of AC Milan (Gunnar Gren-Gunnar Nordahl-Nils Liedholm) because the Swedish Federation refused to select professional players from foreign clubs, they still had some talented players to be considered a serious challenge for any other team, and they proved it in their opening game against Italy. In front of a bulk crowd of expats, Italy scored first when Carapellese volleyed home a pass from Cappello. After Cappello missed a clear chance to put Italy 2-0 up, Sweden came back when Jeppson pushed a low shot wide of Sentimenti’s left hand and Andersson’s long-range shot crossed a busy penalty area and went into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. In the second half, Sentimenti couldn’t hold Palmér’s low shot and Jeppson ran round to lash it in from close range and make it 3-1. Muccinelli scored next with a cool low shot, and although Italy had a very good opportunity to tie the game near the end (Carapellese hit the woodwork and Muccinelli put the rebound wide of an open goal) the game ended with the Swedish victory. After this game, the Italian clubs rushed to sign up virtually the whole Sweden team.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Estádio Independência (Belo Horizonte) DATE: 25-06-1950 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 7.336 REFEREE: Giovanni Galeati (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Mitić 59’); 2-0 (Tomašević 70’); 3-0 (Ognjanov 84’) [Incidents: First game in the history of the World Cup in which floodlight is used. The match started with a delay of twenty minutes over the official kick-off time (the actual starting time was 18:20 h) while corner flags were found and a line of chairs moved from right next to one of the touchlines.]
		Yugoslavia - Switzerland
		3-0 (0-0)
YUGOSLAVIA Mrkušić Horvat, Jovanović, Stanković Zlatko Čajkovski, Đajić Ognjanov, Mitić (c), Tomašević, Bobek, Vukas COACH: Milorad Arsenijević			SWITZERLAND Stuber Neury, Eggimann, Quinche Lusenti, Bocquet Bickel (c), Antenen, Tamini, Bader, Fatton COACH: Franco Andreoli
GAME SUMMARY Yugoslavia (who had beaten Switzerland 0-4 two weeks earlier) completely dominated this game, in spite of the Swiss defensive system known as verrou (bolt). Stuber made two brilliant saves from Bobek, but couldn’t prevent the first Yugoslavian goal scored by Mitić early in the second half. Tomašević headed the second in minute 70, and near the end Ognjanov finished off a move involving the entire forward line by knocking in a Jovanović pass.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 28-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 42.032 REFEREE: Ramón Azón (SPA) GOALS: 1-0 (Alfredo 3’); 1-1 (Fatton 17’); 2-1 (Baltazar 32’); 2-2 (Fatton 88’)
		Brazil - Switzerland
		2-2 (2-1)
BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal, Bauer Rui, Noronha Alfredo, Maneca, Baltazar, Ademir, Friaça COACH: Flávio Costa			SWITZERLAND Stuber Neury, Bocquet, Lusenti Eggimann, Quinche Tamini, Bickel (c), Friedländer, Bader, Fatton COACH: Franco Andreoli
GAME SUMMARY Presumably to please the local crowd, Flávio Costa brought in a number of players from São Paulo clubs, with disastrous results for Brazil. Although Alfredo scored early in the game with an excellent shot, the dangerous little Fatton sped past Augusto to equalize. Baltazar scored the second goal for Brazil before halftime, but a tenacious Swiss team managed to tie the game near the end thanks to a spectacular goal by left winger Fatton, who dribbled past several defenders and the goalkeeper before pushing the ball into an empty net. This result left Yugoslavia needing only a draw with Brazil to qualify, and the police had to save Flávio Costa from indignant fans.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Estádio dos Eucaliptos (Porto Alegre) DATE: 28-06-1950 (15:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.078 REFEREE: Reginald Leafe (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Bobek 20’); 2-0 (Željko Čajkovski 23’); 3-0 (Željko Čajkovski 51’); 4-0 (Tomašević 81’); 4-1 (Ortiz [p.] 89’)
		Yugoslavia - Mexico
		4-1 (2-0)
YUGOSLAVIA Mrkušić Horvat (c), Zlatko Čajkovski, Stanković Jovanović, Đajić Mihajlović, Mitić, Tomašević, Bobek, Željko Čajkovski COACH: Milorad Arsenijević			MEXICO Carbajal Gutiérrez, Cuburu, Gómez Ortiz, Roca Septién, Naranjo, Casarín (c), Pérez, Velázquez COACH: Octavio Vial
GAME SUMMARY Easy win for Yugoslavia against Mexico. Bobek scored first after receiving a pass from Mihajlović, Željko Čajkovski netted two more goals (the first one after a pass from his brother Zlatko and the second with a powerful shot) and Tomašević made the 4-0 before Ortiz converted from the penalty spot a foul committed on Velázquez.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 29-06-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 19.790 REFEREE: Alberto da Gama Malcher (BRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Basora 17’); 2-0 (Zarra 30’)
		Spain - Chile
		2-0 (2-0)
SPAIN Ramallets Alonso, Parra, Gonzalvo II Gonzalvo III, Puchades Basora, Igoa, Zarra, Panizo, Gaínza (c) COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre			CHILE Livingstone (c) Álvarez, Farías, Roldán Busquets, Carvallo Prieto, Cremaschi, Robledo, Muñoz, Díaz Zambrano COACH: Alberto Buccicardi
GAME SUMMARY In this game, Guillermo Eizaguirre gave the first cap to Ramallets, who would become the regular Spanish goalkeeper for the next ten years. Both teams enjoyed good chances during the first minutes, but it was Basora who opened the score for Spain in minute 17. On the half hour mark, Zarra doubled the advantage with a powerful shot. Near halftime, Spain could have even tallied for a third time, but Zarra’s goal was controversially disallowed for offside (the Chilean defender Roldán was ahead of the Spanish center-forward when he headed home a Panizo cross). Chile tried to react in the second half, but Spain remained in control of the game.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Durival de Britto e Silva (Curitiba) DATE: 29-06-1950 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 7.903 REFEREE: George Mitchell (SCO) GOALS: 1-0 (Sundqvist 17’); 2-0 (Palmér 25’); 2-1 (López 34’); 2-2 (López Fretes 74’)
		Sweden - Paraguay
		2-2 (2-1)
SWEDEN Kalle Svensson Samuelsson, E. Nilsson (c) Nordahl, Andersson, Gärd Jönsson, Palmér, Jeppson, Skoglund, Sundqvist COACH: George Raynor			PARAGUAY Vargas Gonzalito, Céspedes, Gavilán Leguizamón, Cantero R. Ávalos, López, Jara Saguier, López Fretes (c), Unzaín COACH: Manuel Fleitas Solich
GAME SUMMARY Paraguay, the Copa América runners-up, were a squad with quick and dynamic players, but the Swedes were a better team in general terms. After an early scare from López Fretes, the Europeans scored first when Sundqvist knocked in a pass from Jeppson, and then Palmér made the most of Skoglund’s long pass. Atilio López reduced differences before halftime after elegantly dribbling two men. The Paraguayan tenacity to equalize the game found its reward in the second half, when López Fretes scored from Jara Saguier’s cross, the ball going in just under the bar.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Estádio Independência (Belo Horizonte) DATE: 29-06-1950 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 10.151 REFEREE: Generoso Dattilo (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Gaetjens 38’) [Incidents: The US captain for this game was McIlvenny (instead of the usual captain Bahr) because he was Scottish and the US coach thought it would be an honor for him in this game against England.]
		USA - England
		1-0 (1-0)
USA Borghi Keough, Colombo, Maca McIlvenny (c), Bahr Wallace, Pariani, Gaetjens, J. Souza, E. Souza COACH: Bill Jeffrey			ENGLAND Williams Ramsey, Hughes, Aston Wright (c), Dickinson Finney, Mannion, Bentley, Mortensen, Mullen COACH: Walter Winterbottom
GAME SUMMARY A priori, one of the greatest surprises of the championship, but not so much on the field. Gaetjens opened the score near halftime with a brilliant diving header, and then England put all the pressure they could after halftime trying to equalize, and had some good chances to do it, like a shot by Mortensen which possibly crossed the line and a header by Mullen which did the same. Finally, the Americans held on to their 1-0 victory, which was considered so surprising and unexpected in England that some local newspapers thought it was a misprint for 1-10.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 1-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 142.429 REFEREE: Mervyn Griffiths (WAL) GOALS: 1-0 (Ademir 4’); 2-0 (Zizinho 69’) [Incidents: Yugoslavia started the game with only ten field players, as Mitić hit his head in the dressing-room and the referee refused to delay kick-off while the Yugoslav striker was receiving medical assistance. Finally, Mitić entered the game in minute 20.]
		Brazil - Yugoslavia
		2-0 (1-0)
BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal, Bauer Danilo, Bigode Maneca, Zizinho, Ademir, Jair, Chico COACH: Flávio Costa			YUGOSLAVIA Mrkušić Horvat, Stanković, Zlatko Čajkovski (c) Jovanović, Đajić Vukas, Mitić, Tomašević, Bobek, Željko Čajkovski COACH: Milorad Arsenijević
GAME SUMMARY There was an extraordinary tension in Rio de Janeiro before the match, since the qualification of Brasil depended on winning the game. Yugoslavia started on the wrong foot when, before the match, Mitić found out just how unfinished the Maracanã stadium was and cut his head on an exposed girder in the dressing-room. The referee refused to delay the start of the game while the Yugoslavian player was being cured and, against ten men, Ademir scored very soon the first goal for Brazil with a low shot that went past Mrkušić’s left hand. When Mitić joined in, twenty minutes into the game, Yugoslavia matched Brazil in skill and opportunities (Tomašević blasted over the bar and Barbosa saved from Mitić). It took half an hour for the referee to order Mrkušić change his jersey because it was the same color as Brazil’s all-white strip. After some more Balkanic scare in the second half, Zizinho scored the reassuring second goal with a cross shot.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 2-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 74.462 REFEREE: Giovanni Galeati (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Zarra 48’)
		Spain - England
		1-0 (0-0)
SPAIN Ramallets Alonso, Parra, Gonzalvo II Gonzalvo III, Puchades Basora, Igoa, Zarra, Panizo, Gaínza (c) COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre			ENGLAND Williams Ramsey, Hughes, Eckersley Wright (c), Dickinson Matthews, Mortensen, Milburn, Baily, Finney COACH: Walter Winterbottom
GAME SUMMARY One of the legendary games in the history of Spain, which will always be associated to the narration of Zarra’s goal by the popular radio commentator Matías Prats and the telegram sent by the President of the Spanish Federation, Armando Muñoz Calero, to Generalissimo Franco: “Excelencia, hemos vencido a la pérfida Albión” (as a contemporary revenge for the defeat of the “Armada Invencible” by the British armies in 1588). The goal started like this: Ramallets served the ball to Alonso, who advanced on the right wing and finally sent a long cross to the left side to “Piru” Gaínza, whose header into the area was poked home by Zarra from close range. In spite of the injuries of Panizo and Gaínza, Spain contained the English attacks in the second half to earn qualification for the final round.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 2-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.811 REFEREE: Arthur Ellis (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Carapellese 12’); 2-0 (Pandolfini 62’)
		Italy - Paraguay
		2-0 (1-0)
ITALY Moro Blason, Furiassi Fattori, Remondini, Mari Muccinelli, Pandolfini, Amadei, Cappello, Carapellese (c) COACH: Ferruccio Novo			PARAGUAY Vargas Gonzalito, Céspedes Gavilán, Leguizamón, Cantero R. Ávalos, López, Jara Saguier, López Fretes (c), Unzaín COACH: Manuel Fleitas Solich
GAME SUMMARY Plenty of new faces in Italy, as they didn’t have chances to qualify for the next stage. A little too late, the Italians found their own style of game and left the World Cup with a victory. Early in the first half, Amadei’s run up the right ended with a cross which Carapellese drove at the right-hand post, a defender kicking the ball into the roof of the net as he tried to clear. Paraguay almost never worried Moro, who had a relaxed game. In the second half, Pandolfini volleyed in Carapellese’s left-wing cross to wrap it up for Italy.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Estádio Independência (Belo Horizonte) DATE: 2-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 5.284 REFEREE: George Reader (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Míguez 14’); 2-0 (Vidal 18’); 3-0 (Schiaffino 23’); 4-0 (Míguez 40’); 5-0 (Míguez 51’); 6-0 (Schiaffino 54’); 7-0 (J. Pérez 73’); 8-0 (Ghiggia 83’) [Incidents: According to FIFA, the last two Uruguayan goals were scored in minutes 83 and 87. Caparelli was injured in minute 43 and had to leave the game.]
		Uruguay - Bolivia
		8-0 (4-0)
URUGUAY Máspoli M. González, Tejera, J. C. González Varela (c), Andrade Ghiggia, J. Pérez, Míguez, Schiaffino, Vidal COACH: Juan López			BOLIVIA E. Gutiérrez Achá, Bustamante (c), Greco Valencia, Ferrel Algarañaz, Ugarte, Caparelli, B. Gutiérrez, Maldonado COACH: Mario Pretto
GAME SUMMARY The first World Cup champion, Uruguay, absent from the last two editions, came back with a very good team and some talented players like Máspoli, the veteran Varela, Andrade (nephew of the 1930 world champion), Schiaffino and Ghiggia. Míguez opened the score when he met Varela’s cross with a hard shot, and then things were easier for Uruguay. Vidal, Schiaffino and Míguez made it 4-0 before halftime, and the game was really over (even more as Caparelli, a naturalized Argentinian playing for Bolivia, had to leave the game af the end of the first half due to an injury). In the second half, Míguez put in Ghiggia’s pass, Schiaffino shot just inside the post, Julio Pérez dribbled the goalkeeper for the seventh goal and Ghiggia surprised Eduardo Gutiérrez from long range to complete the biggest goal difference in the competiton.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Estádio dos Eucaliptos (Porto Alegre) DATE: 2-07-1950 (15:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 3.580 REFEREE: Ivan Eklind (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Bader 10’); 2-0 (Antenen 44’); 2-1 (Casarín 89’) [Incidents: The game was delayed twenty-five minutes over the official kick-off time (the actual starting time was 15:40 h) because both teams wore identical red shirts and it had to be decided which one had to change his kit. The Mexicans eventually donned the uniform of a local team from Porto Alegre, Esporte Clube Cruzeiro (white and blue vertical stripes), and the game could start.]
		Switzerland - Mexico
		2-1 (2-0)
SWITZERLAND Hug Neury, Bocquet, Lusenti Eggimann, Quinche Tamini, Antenen, Friedländer (c), Bader, Fatton COACH: Franco Andreoli			MEXICO Carbajal Gutiérrez, Gómez, Ortiz Ochoa, Roca Flores, Naranjo, Casarín (c), Borbolla, Velázquez COACH: Octavio Vial
GAME SUMMARY Useless victory of Switzerland against Mexico in a game where qualification was not at stake. The Europeans made it 2-0 before halftime thanks to goals by Bader and Antenen, but had opportunities to score more goals. In the second half, Hug saved twice from Casarín, who finally had his reward with a fierce cross shot.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Ilha do Retiro (Recife) DATE: 2-07-1950 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 8.501 REFEREE: Mário Gardelli (BRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Robledo 16’); 2-0 (Riera 32’); 2-1 (Wallace 47’); 2-2 (Maca [p.] 48’); 3-2 (Cremaschi 54’); 4-2 (Prieto 60’); 5-2 (Cremaschi 82’) [Incidents: According to FIFA, the second, third, fourth and fifth Chilean goals were scored by Cremaschi, Prieto, Cremaschi and Riera (respectively).]
		Chile - USA
		5-2 (2-0)
CHILE Livingstone (c) Machuca, Álvarez, Busquets Farías, Rojas Riera, Cremaschi, Robledo, Prieto, Ibáñez COACH: Alberto Buccicardi			USA Borghi Keough, Maca (c), McIlvenny Colombo, Bahr Wallace, Pariani, Gaetjens, J. Souza, E. Souza COACH: Bill Jeffrey
GAME SUMMARY The best Chilean forward in this game, George Robledo, scored the first goal after receiving from Cremaschi. In minute 32, the right winger Riera converted the second with an accurate header. Immediately after halftime, Wallace pulled one back for the USA from close range and Maca equalized after a penalty for handball by Farías. However, Chile took the lead again in minute 54 with a goal by the inside-right Cremaschi, and six minutes later Prieto made the fourth. Although a new goal by Prieto was disallowed in minute 73 for a previous foul, nine minutes later Cremaschi made it 5-2 and secured the victory of Chile in this game.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 9-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 138.886 REFEREE: Arthur Ellis (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Ademir 17’); 2-0 (Ademir 36’); 3-0 (Chico 39’); 4-0 (Ademir 52’); 5-0 (Ademir 58’); 5-1 (Andersson [p.] 67’); 6-1 (Maneca 85’); 7-1 (Chico 88’)
		Brazil - Sweden
		7-1 (3-0)
BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal Bauer, Danilo, Bigode Maneca, Zizinho, Ademir, Jair, Chico COACH: Flávio Costa			SWEDEN Kalle Svensson Samuelsson, E. Nilsson (c) Andersson, Nordahl, Gärd Sundqvist, Palmér, Jeppson, Skoglund, S. Nilsson COACH: George Raynor
GAME SUMMARY After their shaky qualification in the early stage, Brazil started the final round with a notorious victory over Sweden. It’s not so much that the Swedish defensive line had a disastrous day, but they’d simply never met before attackers like the Brazilian inside-forward trio: Zizinho, Ademir, Jair. The three of them had slim physiques, but their ball control and interpassing were beyond anything seen in Europe at the time, and nobody was scoring spectacular goals like Ademir. He made four in this game, and especially one of them was quite spectacular: an overhead kick after flipping the ball up with the other foot. After some tentative approach and an Ademir goal disallowed for offside, Brazil took the lead in minute 17, when the inside-left Jair assisted Ademir, who beat Kalle Svensson with a shot from a tight angle. The Brazilian center-forward also made the second in minute 36 after an excellent build-up work by his teammates, and three minutes later the left winger Chico netted the third Brazilian goal. The local superiority continued after the restart, and after seven minutes Ademir made it 4-0. Soon after, with the Swedish team completely disoriented by the continuous Brazilian attacks and and interpassing, Ademir again scored the fifth. Although the Europeans made a consolation goal midway the half, when Andersson converted a penalty kick, two new goals by Maneca and Chico in the last five minutes completed the Brazilian thrashing, and by then few doubted that they would become world champions.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 9-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 44.802 REFEREE: Mervyn Griffiths (WAL) GOALS: 1-0 (Ghiggia 29’); 1-1 (Basora 39’); 1-2 (Basora 41’); 2-2 (Varela 72’)
		Uruguay - Spain
		2-2 (1-2)
URUGUAY Máspoli M. González, Tejera J. C. González, Varela (c), Andrade Ghiggia, J. Pérez, Míguez, Schiaffino, Vidal COACH: Juan López			SPAIN Ramallets Alonso, Parra, Gonzalvo II Gonzalvo III, Puchades Basora, Igoa, Zarra, Molowny, Gaínza (c) COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre
GAME SUMMARY In a very physical match, Uruguay and Spain contended in a game in which both teams tried their best to cancel each other. Ghiggia, coming into tremendous form, sprinted in to make the first goal, but near halftime Basora headed in Gaínza’s cross and then converted a good pass from Molowny to overturn the score. In the second half, the veteran Varela came upfield and beat various Spanish defenders before scoring the equalizer.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 13-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 7.987 REFEREE: Giovanni Galeati (ITA) GOALS: 0-1 (Palmér 5’); 1-1 (Ghiggia 39’); 1-2 (Sundqvist 40’); 2-2 (Míguez 77’); 3-2 (Míguez 85’)
		Uruguay - Sweden
		3-2 (1-2)
URUGUAY Paz M. González, Tejera Gambetta, Varela (c), Andrade Ghiggia, J. Pérez, Míguez, Schiaffino, Vidal COACH: Juan López			SWEDEN Kalle Svensson Samuelsson, E. Nilsson (c) Andersson, Johansson, Gärd Jönsson, Palmér, Jeppson, Mellberg, Sundqvist COACH: George Raynor
GAME SUMMARY Máspoli and Juan Carlos González, injured in the previous game against Spain, had to be replaced by Paz and Gambetta. Uruguay and Sweden represented two completely different styles of play: the physique of the former against the skill of the latter. In the end, the Uruguayan experience in this kind of games triumphed. Sweden took an early lead when Palmér controlled a long free-kick from Jeppson and shot high across the goalkeeper into the top right-hand corner. Ghiggia had a goal disallowed for Andrade’s foul on Palmér before he scored the equalizer with a long cross-shot just under the bar. Almost immediately, Sweden regained the lead when Paz dropped a high cross under presure from Jeppson and Sundqvist lifted a left-footed volley past the last two defenders. In the last quarter of the game, Uruguay could overturn the score thanks to two goals by Míguez, just enough to guarantee that their final match against Brazil would be the decisive one for the championship.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 13-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 152.772 REFEREE: Reginald Leafe (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Ademir 15’); 2-0 (Jair 21’); 3-0 (Chico 31’); 4-0 (Chico 55’); 5-0 (Ademir 57’); 6-0 (Zizinho 67’); 6-1 (Igoa 71’)
		Brazil - Spain
		6-1 (3-0)
BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal, Bauer Danilo, Bigode Friaça, Zizinho, Ademir, Jair, Chico COACH: Flávio Costa			SPAIN Ramallets Alonso, Parra, Gonzalvo II Gonzalvo III, Puchades Basora, Igoa, Zarra, Panizo, Gaínza (c) COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre
GAME SUMMARY As in their previous game, Brazil offered another display of attacking football, scoring six times against an expert Spanish defense. The South Americans started the match unstoppable as ever, and in the space of three minutes Ramallets saved clear opportunities from Chico and Zizinho. At the quarter hour mark, Ademir’s shot on target was deflected by Parra’s chest, sending Ramallets the wrong way. With 1-0, things were easier for Brazil, and again the Spanish goalkeeper was helpless against a powerful shot from Jair, who’d been allowed a clear run from halfway. Just after the half hour mark, Chico smashed in a loose ball for the 3-0. Brazil then protected their lead with a mixture of ball-keeping and harsh tackling (Basora, Panizo and Zarra were left in need of attention). After halftime, Chico was presented with an open goal following some action by Ademir, and Zizinho’s short pass made the fifth for Ademir himself. Finally, Zizinho survived a tackle and smashed a low volley past Ramallets, who was left on his knees after the 6-0 (never before had the Spanish international goalkeeper received so many goals in a game, but it’s still true he saved many more). With the Brazilians celebrating their victory in a more relaxing way, Igoa scored the best goal of the game by meeting a cross from the right with a gymnastic volley.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Pacaembu (São Paulo) DATE: 16-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.227 REFEREE: Karel van der Meer (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Sundqvist 15’); 2-0 (Mellberg 33’); 3-0 (Palmér 80’); 3-1 (Zarra 82’)
		Sweden - Spain
		3-1 (2-0)
SWEDEN Kalle Svensson Samuelsson, Johansson, E. Nilsson (c) Andersson, Gärd Jönsson, Mellberg, Rydell, Palmér, Sundqvist COACH: George Raynor			SPAIN Eizaguirre Asensi, Parra, Alonso Silva, Puchades Basora, Hernández, Zarra (c), Panizo, Juncosa COACH: Guillermo Eizaguirre
GAME SUMMARY After their painful defeat against Brazil, Spain couldn’t get up in their game with Sweden and lost again to finish the championship in the fourth position (the best result of Spain in the World Cup before 2010). Sweden, who had also been thrashed by Brazil in the final stage, were in a better mood for this game and Sundqvist opened the score after netting a marvellous pass from Palmér. At the half hour, Mellberg scored the second when Eizaguirre was stranded outside his area. With nothing really at stake in the game, Palmér made it 3-0 for Sweden ten minutes from time, and Zarra salvaged the Spanish honor with a late goal after some interpassing with Basora.

FINAL ROUND
STADIUM: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro) DATE: 16-07-1950 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 179.854 REFEREE: George Reader (ENG) GOALS: 0-1 (Friaça 47’); 1-1 (Schiaffino 66’); 2-1 (Ghiggia 79’) [Incidents: This game from the final league stage decided the World Cup winner.]
		Uruguay - Brazil
		2-1 (0-0)
URUGUAY Máspoli M. González, Tejera Gambetta, Varela (c), Andrade Ghiggia, J. Pérez, Míguez, Schiaffino, Morán COACH: Juan López			BRAZIL Barbosa Augusto (c), Juvenal Bauer, Danilo, Bigode Friaça, Zizinho, Ademir, Jair, Chico COACH: Flávio Costa
GAME SUMMARY In front of the biggest crowd ever in a football match (some publications estimate it even over 200,000 spectators), and needing only a draw to become world champions, the overwhelming favorites Brazil underwent their most tragic nightmare when they lost to Uruguay and left a whole country mourning in despair after the “Maracanazo”. Surprising as this outcome might look, there were signs and omens before the final. Uruguay had played three times against Brazil that year on Brazilian soil, winning the first game 4-3 and losing the other two by a narrow margin (3-2 and 1-0). Although in previous games the faulty defensive line of Brazil had been ignored thanks to their powerlful attacking play, this time Uruguay exploited the flaws of the Brazilian defense (especially on the left wing, which Juvenal left uncovered many times as he went to the attack). The Uruguayan defenders frustrated Brazil, and Máspoli played the game of his life. In minute 2, the Uruguayan goalkeeper controlled a powerful shot from Ademir. In minute 17, Schiaffino sent a pass to Julio Pérez, but the right insider missed the goal in an unbeatable opportunity. Three minutes later, Ademir’s header was saved by Máspoli. In minute 26, the active Ademir sent a pass to Chico, whose shot went wide. Two minutes later, after a misunderstanding of the Brazilian defense, Morán, who didn’t expect the ball, couldn’t convert a very clear opportunity. But the best scoring chance for Uruguay came in minute 39, when a long-range shot by Schiaffino met the right post of the Brazilian goal. The opening goal of the final came just after halftime: with the Uruguayan defense drawn to the left, Ademir’s reverse pass sent Friaça clear on the right, and the Brazilian right winger scored with a cross-shot that Máspoli might have stopped. Pandemonium in the stands of Maracanã, as Brazil was closer to win their first World Cup. But Uruguay, who had come back from a goal down against Spain and Sweden, recovered from this mishap in style. In minute 66, Schiaffino capitalized on a pass from Ghiggia and earned the equalizer. From that moment on, Uruguay believed it was possible to win the game, and Brazil started fearing for the championship and showed nervousness. In minute 73, Zizinho missed a clear opportunity to wrap it up for Brazil, and six minutes later Ghiggia received a pass from Varela, left Bigode behind, advanced into the penalty area and beat Barbosa with a low shot. Ten minutes from time, Uruguay were world champions and Maracanã turned silent. Stunned by this unexpected situation, the Brazilian players tried to score the goal they needed to win the championship, but they were prey to nervousness and imprecision. With the final whistle joy came to Uruguay, while Rio de Janeiro fell into a general state of grief and despair.

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