Uruguay defeated Brazil in the decisive match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
The match was played at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium on 16 July 1950. Brazil needed only a draw to finish first in the final group, while Uruguay had to win. Brazil took the lead through Friaça, but Uruguay equalised through Juan Alberto Schiaffino and won 2–1 when Alcides Ghiggia scored.
The game is widely called the Maracanazo, a term describing Uruguay’s unexpected victory in front of a huge Brazilian crowd. Technically, the 1950 competition had no separately staged final: the champion was decided by a four-team final group.
It is therefore inaccurate to describe the match as a conventional World Cup final, even though it functioned as the title decider.