1950
Brazil hosted the World Cup after the
Second World War in 1950. Thirteen countries entered,
including British teams for the first time.
England were joint favourites with Brazil. They had some
great players, including Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews.
The English FA expected their team to win the competition.
The tournament format involved two series of group matches.
The first England game was against the USA. Most British
people believed that Americans did not play soccer. The
England team included the great Tom Finney and they
expected an easy win. But on a poor pitch the USA won 1-0.
Shock
Results
The defeat against the US was the biggest upset in the
history of English football. Many years later Tom Finney
said, 'I can't explain it. We were beaten by a very
ordinary team. I'm still embarrassed about it now!'
Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, and Brazil progressed to the Semi
Finals. The two South American teams won their games and
the World Cup prepared for the biggest game in its history.
‘Derby’
Final
Uruguay and Brazil met in the first
World Cup Final to be held in South America. An
incredible crowd of 200,000 people came to Rio de
Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium to watch the game.
Nobody expected Uruguay to win. Before the game officials
from the Uruguay FA told the team, ‘Try not to lose by too
many goals!’ The Uruguay captain, Varela, was very angry.
'We will not lose,' he said. 'We will win!'
The Final started well for the host nation. Brazil scored
first and the home crowd went crazy. They were silenced
when Varela, an attacking centre-half, equalised and then
put his country in the lead. Brazil desperately tried to
get back into the game, but in the seventy-ninth minute
Uruguay' scored again.
The Maracanã was almost silent. Uruguay had won the World
Cup for the second time.