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Maracanazo

Maracanazo refers to Uruguay's upset victory over Brazil in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, held at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on 16 July 1950. The match was the decisive fixture of the final round, a round-robin stage that determined the tournament champion. Brazil, playing at home, led the match at halftime, but Uruguay scored twice in the second half to win 2-1. The crowd was reported at about 173,000 spectators, among the largest attendances in football history. The defeat denied Brazil the opportunity to win the World Cup on home soil.

The term Maracanazo, derived from the venue's name and the dramatic nature of the upset, has become

In Uruguay, the victory is remembered as a hallmark of their footballing prowess in that era, helped

a
lasting
symbol
in
both
Uruguay
and
Brazil.
It
is
widely
regarded
as
one
of
the
greatest
upsets
in
international
football
and
is
celebrated
in
Uruguay
as
a
major
national
achievement
while
remaining
a
moment
of
national
sorrow
in
Brazil.
by
captain
Obdulio
Varela
and
a
strong
team
performance.
In
Brazil,
the
loss
had
a
profound
cultural
impact,
prompting
reflection
on
the
nation's
football
institutions
and
contributing
to
a
long-running
quest
for
a
new
generation
of
champions.
The
event
remains
a
defining
episode
in
the
history
of
the
World
Cup
and
Latin
American
football.