Uruguay v Brazil (1950 FIFA World Cup)

Uruguay v Brazil

The Maracanã Smash (O Maracanaço)
Uruguay became champions
Event	1950 FIFA World Cup
Uruguay Brazil 2 1
Date	16 July 1950
Venue	Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Referee	George Reader (England)
Attendance	173,850 (officially)[1]
← 1938 1954 →

The match between Uruguay and Brazil was the decisive match of the final stage at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. It was played at the Maracanã Stadium in the then-capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, on 16 July 1950.

Unlike in other editions of the tournament, which conclude with a one-off final, the 1950 winner was determined by a final group stage, where four teams played in a round-robin format. With Brazil topping the group, one point ahead of Uruguay going into the final round of matches, Uruguay needed a win while Brazil needed only to avoid defeat to become the world champions; neither of the other two teams, Spain and Sweden, could finish first. The match is often regarded as the de facto final of the 1950 World Cup.

Uruguay won 2–1; Brazil took the lead shortly after half-time thanks to a goal by Friaça, but Juan Alberto Schiaffino equalised midway through the second half, and Alcides Ghiggia completed the comeback with 11 minutes remaining. A victory of an underdog over a heavily favoured side, the result is considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of football.^[2] The term Maracanaço (in Portuguese) or Maracanazo (in Spanish), roughly translated as "The Maracanã Smash", became synonymous with the match.

Spectated officially by 173,850 people and possibly by over 200,000, the Maracanazo is usually seen as the most highly attended football match ever played, though the 1923 FA Cup final may have been attended by up to 300,000 people.