Brazil. 5-times winners of the World Cup, more than any other country. The land of joga bonito, a swaggering style of football like no other, Pele and a never-ending list of stars. Yet, the country as a whole suffered a night so distressing and scarring in 1950 that it is still talked about to this day, sometimes more than the many victories since. It changed the country and it's approach to the beautiful game.
The Maracanazo.
The final match of the 1950 World Cup. Brazil were hot favourites to take the title against neighbours Uruguay. The sparkling, brand-new Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro had opened just in time to host the World Cup, and over 200,000 fans arrived in expectation of a Brazil victory that would make them World Champions for the very first time.
Everyone was so confident in a Brazil victory that there was a brass band on the sidelines ready in anticipation, a brand-new song called ‘Brazil the winners’ to be played at the final whistle. The local newspapers had also already printed special editions proclaiming Brazil as ‘Champions of the World’. Winning wasn’t just expected, it was a priority for the government, the Maracana the beautiful centre of a new Brazil. Nobody was nervous, everybody expected the win, but it wasn’t to be.
The players came out to a monsoon of confetti, and after that had been cleared up the home side dominated the first half, before scoring the opening goal of the match just after half time. Plain sailing, but it was that goal that made the Uruguayan team attack, changed their mindset, as they knew it was win or bust. Brazil could afford to draw and take the title due to the final round group format. It was a group match but just happened to work out the best two teams facing each other for the Jules Rimet trophy.
The Uruguayan winger, Ghiggia started to get into the game more, getting in crosses, one of which would meet Schiaffino to equalise in the 66th minute. Nerves began to fill the Maracana, but Brazil would still win with a draw. 11 minutes from time, Ghiggia once again found himself in space and got through on goal against the keeper Barbosa. Hesitation from the goalkeeper allowed Ghiggia to strike early, beating him at his near post. Ghiggia would later say; “three people have silenced the Maracana – Frank Sinatra, the Pope, and me”.
The shock and silence was unreal, instead of cheering on Brazil to fight back, 200,000 people sat in stunned silence. The players, staff, and fans were inconsolable at the final whistle. The city closed down for the rest of the day, as no one knew what to do. The carnival to end all carnivals had been planned, but now it was a funeral. O Mundo Sportivo called it ‘Drama, Tragedy, and Farce’, and the match became known as The Maracanazo (the great Maracana blow).
The impact of the match was undeniable. At the time it was a tragedy but two big things came out of it. Pele, and the kit that we know and love.
First, a 9-year-old Pele remembered seeing his father cry that day and vowed that he would win a World Cup for him. Just 8 years later, he would be the teenage star of the 1958 World Cup and Brazil’s first star for winning the championship.
Second, the kit. Up until 1950, Brazil had worn white shirts with a blue collar, white shorts and socks. After the Maracanazo it was deemed that to continue wearing it would be unpatriotic. In 1953, a competition was launched by a newspaper to design a new kit. The only rule was that all four colours present in the Brazilian flag must be used, yellow, blue, green, and white. Aldyr Garcia Schlee was an illustrator at a newspaper, just 18, when he entered. The simplicity of the design impressed the judges and the kit that we all know and love was worn for the first time in March 1954. The vivid yellow jerseys and skilful, magical play would amaze the entire world in colour for the first time at the 1970 World Cup.
When Brazil was awarded the hosting rights for the 2014 World Cup, there was the chance to rectify the wrongs of 1950, to banish the ghost that had been present in the psyche of every Brazilian for over 60 years. But it wasn’t to be. Even with Neymar at the peak of his powers, an injury to him, devastation for the country, and the panic and collapse against Germany created a second Maracanazo. A 7-1 defeat in Belo Horizonte by Germany. A semi-final that should have been a dream became a nightmare.
The lesson must be that Brazil should never want to host a World Cup. It leaves a mark so painful that it lasts forever.
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