For us Brazilians, it is a HUGE deal. It is the second time we will be hosting... the first time being in 1950. However, all of Brazil is keeping their fingers crossed, for this is a chance to finally redeem ourselves from our nation's darkest football moment, the final match against Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup. Yes, Brazil has won the World Cup a record 5 times, more than any other team in the world (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002). However, by 1950 they still hadn't won their first one, and hopes were extremely high for securing the coveted trophy in 1950.
That 1950 World Cup final match against Uruguay is Brazil's darkest football moment in history. Brazil had come to the final match undefeated and with an impressive goal record. Uruguay was litterally the underdog. The whole country was celebrating its victory ahead of time. Songs were composed, newspapers were ready with the headlines proclaiming Brazil as the victor, parties were planned and gold medals were ready to be handed out to Brazil's team players. The Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro was packed with the biggest crowd ever assembled for a football match as more than 210,000 people crammed in the newly built stadium that had been inaugurated just in time for this. Of all those people, only about 100 were Uruguayans rooting for their team.
As the game started and Brazil scored its first goal, the stadium erupted with cheers, fireworks and confetti. Brazil was on its way to secure its first World Cup! The crowd was wild chanting "Brazil! Brazil! Brazil!". However, during the second half, the tide of the game suddenly turned. At the 66th minute of the match, Uruguay scored a tying goal. The crowd was stunned and the tension was now felt. But the cheers continued, though in less strength. Brazil still had a chance. However, with only 11 minutes remaining, Uruguay suprised everyone by scoring a second goal. The Maracanã suddenly fell completely silent as 210,000 jaws just dropped. The players who were later interviewed stated that the silence was morbid. The 210,000 people there were in complete shock, including the 100 Uruguayans. Brazil tried to even things out but it was too late. Uruguay won the match and the 1950 World Cup 2-1 in the biggest football shocker ever. Uruguayan player Alcides Ghiggia, who scored the winning goal would later be quoted as saying: "Only three people have ever silenced 200,000 people at the Maracanã with a single gesture: Frank Sinatra, Pope John Paul II and me." The underdog had come ahead, and David had beaten the proverbial Goliath.
This was a tragedy for a shocked Brazil. The nation was in mourning. There were even reports of fan suicides. The songs were never performed. The medals were never given. The parties were cancelled. The headlines were hastily changed. Brazil had no choice but to accept that 1950 would not be their year. This shocking defeat would become known as the "Maracanazo". It would be 8 years before we finally won our first World Cup.
Now, 64 years later it's like Déja Vu. Brazil will host the championship again and the Maracanã Stadium will once more be the staging venue for the final match. Brazil will certainly do everything in its power to win the World Cup on home soil and finally vindicate ourselves for that defeat in 1950. But the question and the uncertainty remains: will Brazil make it to the final match? If it does, will there be another Maracanazo? Or will we finally be able to lift the trophy at that historical stadium on home soil? Yes, we've won 5 times. But we still need to savor the sweet taste of victory on home soil. Will this be our year?
What are your thoughs on the World Cup? What team will you be rooting for?
Please feel free to share your WC stories, predictions, and anything related to it in this thread. Long live football... the Jogo Bonito!!!
Haha! Congrats!