Brazil served as the host nation for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, which took place from June 24 to July 16. It was the first World Cup to be staged in 12 years and the first one since the Second World War. 13 teams from around the world, including ten from Europe and three from the Americas, competed in the competition, which had a distinctive format.
Background
When World War II ended, the 1950 World Cup was the first competition to be contested. The previous competition had taken place in 1938, and a lot had changed in football in the intervening years. For instance, several European nations were unable to send potent teams to the competition since they were still recovering from the war.
Participants
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, the United States, England, Italy, Sweden, and Spain were among the 13 teams who took part in the competition. The tournament’s favourites were Brazil and Uruguay because Brazil served as the host country and because Uruguay had won the World Cup in 1930.
Format
The 1950 World Cup had a unique format compared to other competitions. Four groups of 13 teams each made up the participating teams. The group winners moved on to the last group, where they played each other once. After the conclusion of the last group stage, the team with the most points will be declared the winner.
Matches
Brazil played Mexico in the opening match of the tournament on June 24th, 1950 at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracan Stadium. In front of more than 80,000 people, Brazil defeated its opponent 4-0. One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history occurred when the United States defeated England 1-0 during the group stage matches, which were played concurrently.
Brazil and Uruguay played in the last group stage match, with both teams level on points. Brazil just required a draw to win the tournament, therefore Uruguay’s 2-1 victory over the hosts, thanks to goals from Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia, shocked the hosts. Brazil’s loss came as a tremendous shock because they were picked to win the competition. This setback is remembered as the “Maracanazo,” one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history.
Goalscorers
Ademir de Menezes of Brazil led all scorers with nine goals, which made him the tournament’s top scorer. He was followed by Oscar Mguez of Uruguay and Estanislao Basora of Spain, both of whom scored five goals.
Winners
Uruguay won the 1950 FIFA World Cup. In the championship game, which was played at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracan Stadium, they prevailed over Brazil 2-1. After winning the original World Cup in 1930, Uruguay won their second World Cup.
Legacy
The 1950 World Cup had a tremendous impact on football despite the controversy. Brazil went on to win five World Cups, and that was the start of their supremacy in world football. With more nations taking part in later editions, the competition also promoted football as a worldwide sport. Brazil’s “Maracanazo” setback served as a turning point, leading to the creation of “samba football,” a more aggressive and inventive form of the game.
Controversy
The tournament was mired in controversy, particularly the choice to hold it in Brazil, which was viewed as risky given the nation’s poor infrastructure and unstable political climate. The tournament’s structure also garnered criticism, with some arguing that more games between the top teams would have revealed the genuine champion.
