Uruguay's Alcides Ghiggia, center, scores the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Brazil at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium on July 16, 1950. With the result, Uruguay clinched its second World Cup title and spoiled the hopes of the host country. As Brazil prepares to host the World Cup for a second time this summer, here's a look back at what happened the first time around.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Uruguay's Alcides Ghiggia, center, scores the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Brazil at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium on July 16, 1950. With the result, Uruguay clinched its second World Cup title and spoiled the hopes of the host country. As Brazil prepares to host the World Cup for a second time this summer, here's a look back at what happened the first time around.
AP
Members of the press watch the opening match of the 1950 World Cup, which Brazil won 4-0 over Mexico at the Maracana Stadium. Because of World War II, there hadn't been a World Cup since 1938.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Members of the press watch the opening match of the 1950 World Cup, which Brazil won 4-0 over Mexico at the Maracana Stadium. Because of World War II, there hadn't been a World Cup since 1938.
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Stan Mortensen's header scores England's first goal in the country's 2-0 victory over Chile in Rio de Janeiro. It was England's first-ever World Cup match.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Stan Mortensen's header scores England's first goal in the country's 2-0 victory over Chile in Rio de Janeiro. It was England's first-ever World Cup match.
Popperfoto/Getty Images
American forward Joe Gaetjens is carried off the field by fans after the United States upset England 1-0 in a first-round match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Gaetjens scored the winning goal, which is still considered one of the most important goals in American soccer history.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
American forward Joe Gaetjens is carried off the field by fans after the United States upset England 1-0 in a first-round match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Gaetjens scored the winning goal, which is still considered one of the most important goals in American soccer history.
AP
Uruguayan forward Julio Perez, center, races through the Bolivian defense during Uruguay's 8-0 victory in the first round. There were 13 teams competing in the tournament, which was the fourth World Cup.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Uruguayan forward Julio Perez, center, races through the Bolivian defense during Uruguay's 8-0 victory in the first round. There were 13 teams competing in the tournament, which was the fourth World Cup.
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A Ghiggia shot gets past Spanish goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets during a 2-2 draw in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Four teams advanced to the final round of the tournament, which was decided by round-robin group play instead of a series of elimination games.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
A Ghiggia shot gets past Spanish goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets during a 2-2 draw in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Four teams advanced to the final round of the tournament, which was decided by round-robin group play instead of a series of elimination games.
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Swedish goalkeeper Kalle Svensson dives to block the ball in front of Brazilian forward Ademir during a final-round match in Rio de Janeiro. Ademir, who scored four goals in the 7-1 thrashing, would go on to finish as the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Swedish goalkeeper Kalle Svensson dives to block the ball in front of Brazilian forward Ademir during a final-round match in Rio de Janeiro. Ademir, who scored four goals in the 7-1 thrashing, would go on to finish as the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals.
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With a Brazilian radio reporter nearby, team captains August, left, of Brazil and Obdulio Varela of Uruguay exchange pennants before the decisive match of the tournament. Going into the match, Brazil only needed a draw to secure the title. Uruguay had to win.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
With a Brazilian radio reporter nearby, team captains August, left, of Brazil and Obdulio Varela of Uruguay exchange pennants before the decisive match of the tournament. Going into the match, Brazil only needed a draw to secure the title. Uruguay had to win.
Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images
Ademir is challenged by Uruguayan defender Rodriguez Andrade as he shoots a shot wide. There were nearly 200,000 people watching the match at the Maracana Stadium.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Ademir is challenged by Uruguayan defender Rodriguez Andrade as he shoots a shot wide. There were nearly 200,000 people watching the match at the Maracana Stadium.
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Uruguayan goalkeeper Roque Maspoli leaps to touch the ball over the bar during intense pressure from Brazil in the first half of the match.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Uruguayan goalkeeper Roque Maspoli leaps to touch the ball over the bar during intense pressure from Brazil in the first half of the match.
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Brazilian goalkeeper Barbosa is beaten at the near post by Ghiggia's game-winning goal. The error that led to the goal <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F14%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fbrazil-confederations-cup-neymar-pele-football%2F">hung over Barbosa</a> until his death in 2000. Some 20 years after the final, he saw a woman in a supermarket point toward him and say to the young boy by her side: "Look at him, son. He is the man that made all of Brazil cry."
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Brazilian goalkeeper Barbosa is beaten at the near post by Ghiggia's game-winning goal. The error that led to the goal hung over Barbosa until his death in 2000. Some 20 years after the final, he saw a woman in a supermarket point toward him and say to the young boy by her side: "Look at him, son. He is the man that made all of Brazil cry."
Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images
A jubilant Maspoli, right, leads the celebrations after the final whistle. For the Brazilians, however, it was a heartbreaking failure. "Nelson Rodriguez, the playwright, spoke about 'Our Hiroshima,' " journalist Jonathan Wilson said. "It seems monstrously disproportionate and it is, but I think what he means is that it's Brazil's national disaster."
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
A jubilant Maspoli, right, leads the celebrations after the final whistle. For the Brazilians, however, it was a heartbreaking failure. "Nelson Rodriguez, the playwright, spoke about 'Our Hiroshima,' " journalist Jonathan Wilson said. "It seems monstrously disproportionate and it is, but I think what he means is that it's Brazil's national disaster."
Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images
Uruguayan defender Schubert Gambetta forces his way through a crowd of photographers and journalists as he leaves the field after the match.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Uruguayan defender Schubert Gambetta forces his way through a crowd of photographers and journalists as he leaves the field after the match.
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Uruguayan Ambassador Giordano Eccher, surrounded by team officials and journalists, holds the Jules Rimet Trophy, which is given to the World Cup winners.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
Uruguayan Ambassador Giordano Eccher, surrounded by team officials and journalists, holds the Jules Rimet Trophy, which is given to the World Cup winners.
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FIFA President Jules Rimet presents the trophy to Varela, Uruguay's captain. Uruguay also won the first World Cup, which it hosted in 1930, and it remains by far the smallest country to have won the tournament.
Looking back: The 1950 World Cup —
FIFA President Jules Rimet presents the trophy to Varela, Uruguay's captain. Uruguay also won the first World Cup, which it hosted in 1930, and it remains by far the smallest country to have won the tournament.
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