Uruguayan footballer whose goal sealed the fate of Brazil in the 1950 World CupThe Uruguayan footballer Alcides “Chico Ghiggia,who has died aged 88, was the scourge of Brazil in the World Cup decider of 1950 in Rio de Janeiro. Small, and lean and hunched,the factual-winger did not perceive much of an athlete, but nonetheless displayed great ball control, and dynamic pace and a surprisingly powerful factual foot.
When in the immense Maracanã stadium in Rio,Uruguay faced Brazil in the last game of their final group – there was no World Cup final as such – the Brazilians were the ineluctable favourites. They had scored no fewer than 13 goals in their first two games against Sweden and Spain, each of whom had given the Uruguayans a hard run for their money. Thus Brazil needed only to draw, and to choose the world title.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com