Miracle of Belo Horizonte | |||||||
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Event | 1950 FIFA World Cup First round | ||||||
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Date | 29 June 1950 | ||||||
Venue | Estádio Independência, Belo Horizonte, MG | ||||||
Referee | Generoso Dattilo (Italy) | ||||||
Attendance |
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On 29 June 1950, the United States defeated England 1–0 in a World Cup group match at Estádio Independência in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Before the game, England were heavy favorites against a hastily assembled U.S. team, which was composed of part-time players. The game's only goal was scored by Haitian-born U.S. center forward Joe Gaetjens. This game and the U.S. team were profiled by author Geoffrey Douglas in his book The Game of Their Lives, which was made into a film of the same name (later renamed The Miracle Match).