FIFA World Cup 2018: Top 5 matches in the history of the tournament

#3 Brazil vs Uruguay, 1950 World Cup

Uruguay shocked Brazil in one of the all-time World Cup classics

The 1950 World Cup is the only World Cup in history which never had a final. The tournament was to be decided by a final group stage between the four group winners.

The round-robin went in such a way that the final match of the tournament would determine the champion.

Hosts Brazil were up against Uruguay in the match that was to be held at the Maracana. Brazil were heavy favourites to win the match as they had thrashed Sweden and Spain 7-1 and 6-1 respectively.

Uruguay on the other hand came from 2-1 down to draw 2-2 against Spain and did the same thing against Sweden to win 3-2 thanks to Oscar Miguez's last-gasp winner.

Even a draw would be enough for Brazil to win the title but Uruguay needed a win to lift the trophy.

Celebrations had already begun in Brazil before the final. Even the mayor of Rio was confident of Brazil winning the final.

He delivered a speech stating, "You, players, who in less than a few hours will be hailed as champions by millions of compatriots! You, who have no rivals in the entire hemisphere! You, who will overcome any other competitor! You, who I already salute as victors!"

Even a victory song named "Brasil Os Vencedores" (Brazil the Victors) was composed which was practiced and was supposed to be played after the final. 22 gold medals were already made with the name of each player of the Brazil squad inscribed on them.

On the day of the final, the streets of Rio were full of celebrations. A newspaper called O Mundo published a photograph of the Brazilian team with the caption "These are the World Champions."

Uruguayan skipper Obdulio Varela bought several copies of the paper and told his teammates to urinate on them.

Uruguay coach Juan Lopez advised his players to play defensively if they were to overcome Brazil's herculean offense. However, their skipper Varela told his teammates not to play defensively or else the scoreline wouldn't be any different from Brazil than their previous two matches.

Varela inspired his players through a speech, using the line, "Muchachos, los de afuera son de palo. Que comience la función" ("Boys, outsiders don't play. Let's start the show").

A crowd of nearly 200,000 had gathered at the Maracana to see the final.

The match with Brazil going on the offensive from the start. Uruguay, however, were able to contain the likes of Ademir and Zizinho unlike Spain and Sweden and the first half ended 0-0 to the surprise of many.

Just two minutes into the second half, striker Friaca shot past Uruguayan keeper Maspoli to give the Brazilians the lead. The Brazilian fans erupted.

Uruguay skipper Varela argued with the referee regarding the validity of the goal, claiming that Friaca was offside. However, the goal stayed.

Shortly after Brazil's goal, Uruguay began to take control of the game and they were taking several chances at goal. The Brazilian defense was clearly lacking the tenacity and striker Juan Alberto Schiaffino took advantage of this to score Uruguay's equaliser.

Uruguay found hope but Brazil were still at an advantage as the draw would still lead them to the trophy. Both teams were attacking hard and in the 79th minute, the stalemate was broken.

Striker Alcides Ghiggia came running from the right and shot the ball low past Brazilian goalie Barbosa to give Uruguay the lead. The Brazil fans were silenced and remained that way till the final whistle was blown and Uruguay were crowned the champions of the World Cup.

The final whistle was followed by a strange silence by the Brazilian supporters. Several Brazilian newspapers refused to buy the fact that Brazil were defeated. Four of the team's players including captain Augusto never played for Brazil again. Some fans even went on to commit suicide.

Uruguay on the other hand, had scripted one of the biggest upsets in football history and broke the hearts of an entire nation.