1950: Sting in the tail for Brazil

1950: Sting in the tail for Brazil
The most chaotically organised of all, the fourth FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil also saw some of the most sublime football the planet had witnessed - and provided one of its biggest-ever shocks.

Mass withdrawals
The world, of course, was much changed since the previous tournament in France in 1938, but yet again the World Cup finals were afflicted by mass withdrawals - the most unlikely of which was Scotland.

Scottish walk-out
With British teams back in the FIFA fold the tournament now had a more genuine claim to be truly representative of the world. The British championship was designated a World Cup qualifying group with the top two going on to the finals. However, with a stubbornness that would be inconceivable today, the Scots decided to go to Brazil only if they won the group. They did not, of course, losing their final match, against England, 1-0 at Hampden Park.

Eastern Bloc absent
Germany and Japan were also absent, - expelled by FIFA - the Soviet Union led a boycott by most Iron Curtain countries and, in South America, Argentina were again in a sulk - this time at loggerheads with the Brazilians.

Italian tragedy
Italy, the winners of the past two World Cups did compete but had been tragically affected by the death of many top players in a plane crash that wiped out the entire Torino Calcio team the year before. Not surprisingly their journey across the Atlantic was made by boat.

Bizarre arrangement
However, only 13 teams made it to Brazil and the competition was thrown into more disarray - if not disrepute - when it was decided to organise the teams into two groups of four, one of three and one of two, with the World Cup winner to be decided by a further mini-league of four. There would not be a World Cup final in 1950 although, luckily, the very last match provided a final in all but name.

'Brazil Must Win'
The Brazilians - perhaps forgetting their disastrous over-confidence of 1938 - were absolutely convinced of their victory. Loudspeakers everywhere blasted out "Brazil Must Win", a popular song of the day. Most experts agreed as the team had proved itself by winning the 1949 South American championship. To cap it all they had just completed (well, almost) the giant Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro - a suitable stage for their world-beating talents.

Brazil in command
They certainly lived up to the hype when, in their first group match at the Maracaná, they cruised past Mexico 4-0. However, things almost went pear-shaped in the next, in São Paulo, against Switzerland. The Brazilian coach, Flavio Costa, decided to play his São Paulo-based players instead of his strongest team and a riot nearly followed a disappointing 2-2 draw. That meant Brazil had to win their last pool match against Yugoslavia, which they managed courtesy of goals from Ademir and a solo effort from Zizinho.

England wilt
However, the early stage of the tournament was dominated by the progress - or rather, lack of it - of England. Strongly fancied in their first World Cup they were, however, hopelessly under-prepared and unacclimatised. A limp 2-0 win against Chile was followed by a humiliating 1-0 defeat by the United States at Belo Horizonte. One of the most one-sided matches in World Cup history, England completely dominated but - amazingly - the game was decided by the Americans' Haitian-born striker, Joe Gaetjens, who scored in the 37th minute. Nothing went right for England and stunned they meekly went out of the tournament after another defeat, 3-1 against Spain.

Swedish surprise
In the final pool, Brazil and Spain were joined by Sweden (who had edged out Italy, the holders, 3-2) and Uruguay (who had only to beat Bolivia to advance). However, once the action got under way there seemed only one winner - Brazil.

Four-goal Ademir
Inspired by the exploits of Ademir (who scored four times in a 7-1 win against Sweden) they seemed poised for glory. Only Uruguay - their opponents in the final group match - stood between them and the prize a nation craved. And Brazil needed only a draw to claim their first World Cup.

Uruguay subdued
The Uruguayans, winners in 1930 had never lost a World Cup, but had been far from impressive in the final pool - drawing 2-2 with Spain and narrowly beating Sweden 3-2. However, in their captain, Obdulio Varela, they had a mighty defensive and organisational force and in Juan Alberto Schiaffino - who had scored four times in the 8-0 win over Bolivia - they had the firepower to worry the Brazilians - if only they could contain the vibrant attacking play of the hosts.

Schiaffino strikes
But could they? Nobody in Brazil thought so and all seemed to be going to plan in front of a massive crowd of 199,854 at the Maracaná on 16 July when, after dominating the match, Friaca scored two minutes into the second half. A different team might have then played more cautiously but Brazil continued to go forward and the Uruguayans, having soaked up wave after wave of attack, scored on the break when Schiaffino equalised in the 66th minute with a mis-kick.

Brazil silenced
The silence was deafening and buoyed by their success Uruguay went in search of a winner which duly arrived eleven minutes from time when Elcides Ghiggia cut in from the wing and fired home. Varela then rightly put up the shutters and Uruguay held on for a famous - and completely unexpected - 2-1 triumph to claim their second World Cup.