After a 12-year interruption caused by World War II, the FIFA World Cup returned in 1950 in Brazil. What followed was one of the most dramatic chapters in football history. In front of nearly 200,000 spectators at the Maracanã Stadium, Uruguay stunned the host nation and completed one of the greatest upsets the sport has ever witnessed.
Historical Background
The 1950 tournament marked the first World Cup since 1938, following cancellations in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. Brazil was selected as host, symbolizing football’s revival on the global stage.
Unlike previous editions, the tournament did not feature a traditional knockout final. Instead, four teams advanced to a final group stage to determine the champion. The participating nations were Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden, and Spain.
Several European nations declined to participate due to post-war recovery challenges, resulting in only 13 teams competing in the tournament.
The Road to Glory: Uruguay’s Historic 1950 Triumph
Uruguay began their campaign steadily, progressing from the group stage to the final round.
Brazil entered the final group as heavy favorites after dominant victories over Sweden (7–1) and Spain (6–1). Heading into the decisive match at the Maracanã, Brazil needed only a draw to secure the title.
On July 16, 1950, in front of a massive home crowd, Uruguay delivered a historic shock. After falling behind 1–0, they equalized through Juan Alberto Schiaffino before Alcides Ghiggia scored the winning goal, sealing a 2–1 victory.
The match later became known as the “Maracanazo,” one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history. Uruguay secured their second World Cup title, 20 years after their triumph in 1930.
Interesting Facts from the 1950 World Cup
The 1950 World Cup was the only edition without a single-match final.
The decisive Brazil vs Uruguay match drew nearly 200,000 spectators.
The defeat deeply impacted Brazilian football culture and national identity.
India qualified but withdrew before the tournament began.
Uruguay won their second World Cup, remaining unbeaten in World Cup history at that point.
Top Scorer and Key Players
Brazil’s Ademir finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 9 goals.
For Uruguay, Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia became national heroes after scoring in the decisive match against Brazil. Ghiggia’s winning goal remains one of the most famous strikes in football history.
