Brazil Independence Cup

1972 Brazil Independence Cup
Taça Independência
Tournament details
Host countryBrazil
Dates11 June – 9 July
Teams20 (from 5 confederations)
Venue(s)15 (in 12 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Brazil
Runners-up Portugal
Third place Yugoslavia
Fourth place Argentina
Tournament statistics
Matches played44
Goals scored136 (3.09 per match)
Top scorer(s)Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Dušan Bajević (13 goals)

The Brazil Independence Cup was an international football tournament held in Brazil, from 11 June to 9 July 1972, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Brazilian Declaration of Independence. It was called the Minicopa by the Brazilians and the final was between Brazil and Portugal, in the Maracanã Stadium. Brazil won 1–0, with Jairzinho scoring in the 89th minute.

Brazil no longer had Pelé but still had Tostão, Jairzinho and Rivellino, the later two also played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, in West Germany.

Despite Portugal's quality results and team, including Benfica players such as Eusébio, Jaime Graça, José Henrique, Humberto Coelho, Rui Jordão, and Toni, the team missed the World Cup 1974 and 1978 qualifying matches, so this tournament was their best result until the 1984 European Football Championship.