Photo source: FIFA website
Doha: It was after 12 years when football's biggest tournament returned to the pitch for its fourth edition after the Second World War.
For the first time, South America hosted the tournament and selected Brazil as the 1950's FIFA World Cup host country. There were 13 teams who joined the World Cup, with England participating for the first time after becoming a member of FIFA. However, Asia was not represented by any country during this edition.
The competition consisted of two groups comprising of four teams, another group of three teams and the last group made up of just two teams. The group winners then advanced to the final round and a round-robin format was used.
The FIFA World Cup in 1950 was also spread out in six Brazilian cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Porto Alegre. Six stadiums also hosted matches, along with the enormous 200,000-capacity Maracana Stadium.
Tables turned
In a deciding match against Uruguay, Brazil was well on its way to being named as the next victor. Needing only a draw, a 47th minute goal courtesy of Friaca advanced them in a 1-0 lead.
But the tables turned on the second half of the game when Uruguay redeemed its play with a comeback score of two goals in 13 minutes via Juan Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia. Nearly 200,000 home fans were stunned with shock as Uruguay lifted the trophy in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Having only played twice since the inaugural event of the tournament, opting out for the 1934 and 1938 editions, Uruguay became the second nation to defend its title.
1950 World Cup in Numbers / 1950 World Cup Facts:
Host: Brazil
Teams: 13
Format: Group stage, finals round
Matches: 22
Goals: 88
Winners: Uruguay
Runners-up: Brazil
Third Place: Sweden
Fourth Place: Spain
Golden boot: Ademir (Brazil)
Silver Show: Oscar Miguez (Uruguay)
Bronze Shoe: Estanislao Basora (Spain)
