For 12 long years, the trophy of the football World Cup lay hidden in a shoebox. Thanks to then FIFA vice-president Ottorino Barassi, the trophy was safe and sound under his bed after he secretly transported it from a bank in Rome. It turned out to be a masterstroke as when the Nazis searched the Italian’s property, it was one place they failed to look.
Owing to the Second World War, the 1942 and 1946 World Cups were cancelled. However, Barassi’s efforts didn’t go in vain as the tournament was back, if not in all its elements, in 1950 with Brazil being the hosts. For Indian per se, this could have been a historic moment as they qualified by default after Philippines, Indonesia and Burma all withdrew. However, the AIFF didn’t think it was worthwhile for they refused to send a team after the FIFA apparently refused to allow them play barefoot. India still awaits its World Cup debut.
Post war repercussions were evident with many countries opting out. England finally made their debut. The format was revised again with the 13 teams being divided into four groups, where the winners progressed to a final round-robin league. Defending champions Italy failed to progress beyond group stage.
For Brazil, it all started and ended at the Maracana. What started as 4-0 rout of Mexico, ended in what they term a ‘national tragedy.’ A day prior to their final game against Uruguay, the mayor of Rio went one step further and announced, “Tomorrow we will beat Uruguay!”
A mind boggling 200,000 spectators turned up, the largest in the history of the game, but the home fans were in for a shock. While the hosts needed only a draw, their neighbours faced a must-win situation. What followed was termed Maracanazo, also known as the Maracana Blow. Considered one of the greatest upsets in footballing history, the Uruguayans came from behind to beat Brazil 2-1. Former FIFA president Jules Rimet, after whom the trophy was named, said, “The silence was morbid, too difficult to bear.”
The aftermath still gives many Brazilians nightmares. Rimet didn’t gives his congratulatory speech, the winners had no presentation ceremony, the 22 gold medals which had names of the Brazil players inscribed had to be thrown away while many fans went to the extent of committing suicide.
Four years post the Maracanazo, it was time for the Miracle of Bern. The action shifted to Switzerland and for the first time, the spectators could witness the happenings through the idiot box. Hungarians started as favourites and having beaten West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, it was a given that they would go on to win the final against the same opponent.
The Germans thought otherwise. In the shadow of the Swiss Alps, West Germany stunned the Magical Magyars 3-2, ending their 31-match winning streak, to claim their maiden title. It was also the first instance of a team winning the World Cup having lost a match before. Puskas & Co sought consolation from the fact that they set the record for the most number of goals scored by a team — 27.