Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (1950 World Cup)
The upset so big it has its own name, the Maracanazo is etched in the memory of any Uruguayan or Brazilian football fan for very different reasons. Though not technically a final (the tournament was decided on a round robin basis that year) the game did prove decisive in the destination of the trophy, and it literally couldn’t have been a bigger occasion, with the estimated 200,000 capacity crowd at the Maracana said to be the biggest ever assembled for a football game.
As reigning South American champions Brazil were favourites, while Uruguay’s victory at the first World Cup was 20 years in the past. Several Brazilian newspapers arrogantly proclaimed the host-nation champions on the morning of the game, but Uruguay had different ideas. After going a goal down, they went all-out attack, and 21 minutes into the second half, Juan Alberto Schiaffino fired home an equaliser. The ropey Brazilian defence couldn’t cope with the onslaught, and 34 minutes into the second half, Uruguay struck the fatal blow, with Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia scoring the winner. Brazil took the defeat so badly they never wore a white kit again, while the members of the team were constantly reminded of the loss throughout the rest of their lives.
