THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE RETURN
After 1938 the world went to war: 1942 and 1946 were cancelled. Twelve years later the World Cup came back in Brazil, where the Maracanã was built for the tournament and was still being finished when it began. Thirteen nations arrived.
NO FINAL
The title was decided by a four-team pool of Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden and Spain. Brazil beat Sweden 7–1 and Spain 6–1, and went into the last match needing only a draw. Earlier, the United States had beaten England 1–0, with Joe Gaetjens scoring.
THE MARACANAZO
16 July 1950, close to 200,000 inside. Friaça put Brazil ahead; Uruguay's captain Obdulio Varela held up the restart for almost three minutes. Schiaffino equalised and, in the 79th minute, Alcides Ghiggia shot at the near post: Uruguay 2–1.
THE AFTERMATH
Brazil never wore white in a final again. Goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa was never called up again.
MORE FROM THE WORLD CUP UNIVERSE
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.