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1950 FIFA World Cup, Disaster at the Maracanã

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 The 1950 World Cup was the first to be held after the end of the Second World War. This edition was remembered above all for a catastrophe that left an indelible scar on the host nation: the Maracanazo.

This fourth edition of the tournament was originally scheduled for 1949. With the world still reeling from a war that had devastated much of Europe, it came as little surprise that FIFA swiftly approved Brazil’s bid to host when it was submitted in 1946. Brazil were the reigning Copa América champions, South America had been far less affected by the war, and FIFA also felt the need to pay their due to CONMEBOL after staging two consecutive World Cups in Europe. At the same time, many European nations were still focused on post-war reconstruction rather than organising or competing in major sporting events.

Facts and Figures

Brazil 1950 featured several quirks that set it apart from other editions. Here are some notable facts from the first World Cup after the war:

* A number of nations withdrew during the qualification stage for various reasons, including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Peru, Ecuador, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Soviet Union, and even two eventual finalists from Europe, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.

* Several teams also pulled out after qualifying. India withdrew after being told they could not play barefoot, Scotland declined to participate after finishing runners-up behind England in qualifying, Turkey cited travel costs to Brazil, while France withdrew due to a congested schedule.

* As a result of the numerous withdrawals, two of the first-round groups did not consist of four teams. Uruguay, in fact, played only once in the opening round, against Bolivia.

* England made their World Cup debut in Brazil.

* It remains the only World Cup without a final match. Instead, the four group winners from the first round were placed into a final group, with the world champion determined by the final standings.

A Dramatic Final Round

The 1950 World Cup is unique for having a final stage without a final. Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and Sweden, all group winners in the first round, faced each other once in a round-robin format.

Before the decisive final match, Brazil had recorded two emphatic victories, thrashing Sweden 7–1 and Spain 6–1. Uruguay, meanwhile, drew 2–2 with Spain and edged past Sweden 3–2. Ademir and his teammates needed only a draw in the final game to claim Brazil’s first World Cup title.

Instead, history repeated itself after the heartbreak of France 1938. Excessive confidence, compounded by taking the lead through Friaça in the 47th minute, and growing frustration against Uruguay’s solid defence, proved fatal in a Maracanã packed with expectant home supporters. Uruguay struck back with two goals in the space of 15 minutes, scored by Schiaffino and Ghiggia, sealing a stunning turnaround. Juan López’s side thus emulated the triumph of their predecessors 20 years earlier.

Obdulio Varela, the Uruguayan captain remembered how the match was surreal. The win was beyond imagination but in the end he also felt sorry for the home fans. He believed his team had ruined their joy as they were preparing themselves for a huge carnival. 

Top scorer: Ademir (Brazil) – 9 goals

Player of the tournament: Zizinho (Brazil)

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