Fifa World Cup Final 1950 - Brazil v Uruguay
The only World Cup final that was not a final as due to the tournament set up Brazil only needed a draw to win the World Cup.
There was a world record crowd in the stadium to watch this final match with just fewer than 200,000 cramming into the stadium to watch their heroes.
Brazil were in top form coming into the final scoring a total of 13 goals in their two final pool matches. Uruguay had scored a mere five against the same opposition and had struggled on both occasions. Brazil were clear favourites to win.
Brazil only needed a draw but it's not in the Brazil mindset to defend and they as usual went for it and got their rewards early in the second half when Ademir slipped the ball to Friaca, who put the hosts in front two minutes into the second half. Brazil continued to play in their usual way and only needing a draw, Brazil were thought home and hosed.
Uruguay's 34 year old captain Obdulio Varela refused to give up and kept driving his team forward. Right winger Ghiggia was a danger and the Brazilian left-half, Bigode, gave him too much room in the second half. After one such lapse, the winger gathered a pass from his skipper Varela, beat his man and crossed for Schiaffino to head home the equaliser after 66 minutes.
Despite allowing Uruguay to level the scores, Brazil still attacked and 11 minutes from time, Ghiggia got round Bigode once more and this time, when the defence was expecting another centre, he ran for the goal and slotted the ball in between the near post and goalkeeper Barbosa.
What a shock, Brazil had lost and Uruguay joined Italy as two-times winners of the World Cup. The Brazilian fans openly wept in the Maracana and in the streets of Rio. Despite their anguish, the Brazilian fans inside the giant stadium nevertheless found time to warmly applaud the victors as they paraded the trophy. It brought an end to a three-week Brazilian carnival. The final result may not have been what the home fans wanted, but it signalled the rebirth of the World Cup after a 12-year absence.
