The 1950 World Cup Finals

With the impact of the Second World War still reverberating across the globe, Brazil was the only realistic bid submitted and consequently granted to be the hosts of the 1950 World Cup Final by FIFA.

A relatively new nation, Brazil saw this has an opportunity to be at the forefront of International affairs through their footballing prowess. Indeed they had every right to be confident with the likes of Zizinho, Ademir, and Chico in the team. To prove that this would be the best and most extravagant World Cup the construction of the Maracana started in 1948 and was completed in record time. It was also the biggest stadium of that era as it held 183,000 which was 43,000 more than Hampden Park which had previously held that record.

In anticipation of the World Cup Finals, posters went up around the country, commemorative stamps were issued, and in the Rio carnival a float illustrating the world cup was paraded. Consequently when the Finals did start, Brazilians were more than optimistic thanks to the media and hype that their team would be World Champions.

The format of the competition was to be different to any other World Cup’s namely that there was to be no knock out stage. Instead the thirteen teams were drawn into four groups with the winners forming a final group of four teams with the trophy to be awarded to the first placed team.

Brazil got off to an emphatic start by thrashing Mexico 4-0 and although they had a slight wobble by conceding a late goal to draw two all with Switzerland, a two nil win against Yugoslavia was enough to send the hosts through to the final group alongside Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay. (Incidentally England had failed to qualify with defeats to Spain and the infamous 1-0 defeat to the USA).

Walloping Sweden 7-1 and Spain 6-1 by playing scintillating football with Alex Bello’s the author of the fantastic book ‘Futebol, the Brazilian way of life,’ stating that the crowd started to wave white flags after going 3-0 up against Spain shouting ‘Ole!’ and singing ‘bullfight of Madrid,’ with the official brass band joining in. It was a patriotic mood of pride and belief that Brazil were the best football team and that the world would look on with envy and begrudging respect.

With Uruguay drawing 2-2 with Spain and snatching two late goals to beat Sweden, the last game against Brazil had now become a final in itself although Brazil only had to draw to be crowned World Champions.

Expectations were not only sky high but it was presumed that the trophy would be collected by Brazil in front of an adoring Maracana. Newspapers proclaimed them to be already Champions on the eve of the game with the Mayor of Rio De Janeiro proclaiming them to have no rivals and ‘would be proclaimed victors of the World.’

Follow the link to continue reading the article: The Maracana Blow.