1950 World Cup Statistics

The World lost two World Cups (1942 and 1946) due to the World War that came to an end in 1945 - and it was all eyes on Brazil for the 1950 World Cups Finals. Brazil had qualified for the two previous finals and were expected to make a big impact at the 1950 finals. The 1950's Brazilian squad consisted of some fine footballers such as Ziznho, Ademir and Nilton Santos, however they couldn't win the prize the Maracanã craved.

The 1950 World Cup brought back the group stages for the first round - which consisted of four groups. However, both group 3 and group 4 were depleted due to the withdrawal of India (from group 3) , Turkey and Scotland (from group 4). The Indian national team have never played in a World Cup prior or since the 1950 World Cup and didn't take their qualified place due to FIFA stating that all sides must wear football boots - something the Indian football team didn't appreciate. Champions Italy lost 3-2 in their opening group game, their first World Cup defeat, and would eventual be eliminated out of group three. Hosts Brazil, faired much better and beat Mexico and Yugoslavia on route to the 'final round'. The 1950 World Cup would be the first, and last, World Cup to decide football's most sought after prize by a group stage.

All group winners, Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden and Spain, were placed in a final group stage - with the top placed side after three games taking the title. Brazil started off magnificently by beating Sweden, who had knocked out the holders Italy, 7-1 and then beat Spain 6-1. Quietly waiting in the shadows were Uruguay, the winners from eighteen years previous, who drew with Spain and beat Sweden 3-2. Sweden had been leading 2-1 until the 77th minute. Brazil only needed a draw to win their first World Cup title.

The 16th July 1950 will go down as a dark day in Brazilian football's history as they crumbled under pressure to Uruguay who beat them 2-1 in front of their own fans. At this time in World Football, Brazil were considered the leaders in self expression, flair and creativity within a WM formation which was different to that used by Herbert Chapman twenty years earlier. Uruguayan forward, Julio Perez, admitted after the game that he wet himself prior to the game with nerves - something the Brazilians didn't take advantage of. Brazil lost the game 2-1, having taken the lead early in the second half.

Uruguay struck one back and then disaster struck when a mistake from Brazilian keeper Barbosa gifted right forward, Ghiggia, a goal. Brazilian was in state of shock and when the final whistle blew, it was official Uruguay were champions of the World and Brazil were runners up. The final would be known in Brazil as 'Final Fatídica' - however the 1950 final was to only be a taster for what Brazil would offer the footballing world over the next sixty years.

1950 World Cup Results


DateStageHome TeamScoreAway TeamAttendance
24-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundBrazil4–0Mexico82,000
25-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundYugoslavia3–0Switzerland7,500
25-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundSweden3–2Italy36,000
25-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundEngland2–0Chile30,000
25-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundSpain3–1USA10,000
28-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundMexico1–4Yugoslavia11,000
28-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundBrazil2–2Switzerland42,000
29-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundSpain2–0Chile16,000
29-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundUSA1–0England10,000
29-06-1950Group Stage/1st RoundSweden2–2Paraguay8,000
01-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundBrazil2–0Yugoslavia142,000
02-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundMexico1–2Switzerland4,000
02-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundChile5–2USA9,000
02-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundSpain1–0England74,000
02-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundItaly2–0Paraguay26,000
02-07-1950Group Stage/1st RoundUruguay8–0Bolivia6,000
09-07-1950Final Round Group StagesUruguay2–2Spain45,000
09-07-1950Final Round Group StagesBrazil7–1Sweden139,000
13-07-1950Final Round Group StagesUruguay3–2Sweden8,000
13-07-1950Final Round Group StagesBrazil6–1Spain153,000
16-07-1950FinalUruguay2–1Brazil174,000
16-07-1950Final Round Group StagesSweden3–1Spain11,000