Long before Germany's 7-1: When Brazil fell into the valley of tears for the first time

"Today Brazil will be world champions," headlines the newspapers in the morning, the country the big favorite at the World Cup 75 years ago. But then the big Uruguayan shock follows: The "Maracanaço" silences 200,000 fans – and stabs the whole of Brazil in the heart.

In the end, there was only silence, and the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro sank into a sea of tears and grief. The Brazilian football stars had lost what they thought was a sure 1950 World Cup title with a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, and an entire country was in shock. "Only three people silenced the Maracanã: the Pope, Frank Sinatra, and me," said the winning goal scorer, Alcides Ghiggia.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Seleção's day of horror. The overwhelming favorite likely failed due to its arrogance. "No one in the world can compete with you," said Rio's mayor Ângelo Mendes de Moraes in his pre-match speech. "I already congratulate you on your victory." The Brazilian newspapers ran the headline on the morning of the game: "Today Brazil will be world champions."

As Pelé's predecessor, center-forward Ademir was in the spotlight in 1950. After the Brazilians had thrashed Sweden 7-1 and Spain 6-1 in the four-team finals, the entire country viewed the decisive match against Uruguay as nothing more than a mandatory task.

"Maracanaço": Even Brazil's radio is silent

200,000 fans filled the massive stadium hours before kickoff. The next two days were considered a day off, and all venues were booked for the victory celebrations. But then something happened that would go down in Brazilian football history as the "Maracanaço."

The sober Uruguayans were unfazed by the hosts' opening goal, maintaining their tactical discipline. The descendants of the great Andrade, who once captivated the football world with his tricks and ball skills, and whose nephew of the same name was now also playing as a winger, kept their cool, equalized, and Ghiggia scored the winning goal eleven minutes from time.

Three hours after the final whistle, tens of thousands of fans remained motionless and silent in the stands, unable to comprehend the humiliation. Brazilian radio went silent: not a word, not a single song! FIFA quickly presented the trophy to the world champions, forgoing a ceremony for Uruguay.

Scapegoat "serves 43 years for alleged crime"

The scapegoat for Brazil was goalkeeper Moacyr Barbosa, who was forever blamed for the 1-2 defeat. When the goal posts were being replaced, he burned the wooden crossbars. Before the 1994 World Cup, the supposedly unlucky man was denied access to the Brazilian team's headquarters.

"In Brazil, the longest prison sentence is 30 years," he once said, "but I've already been serving 43 years for an alleged crime I didn't commit." In April 2000, he died in Santos at the age of 79, impoverished and unrecognized.

"All those who have football in their blood," said top player Ademir years after the tragic end of the 1950 World Cup, "felt a great emptiness afterward. The soul of a player never leaves the pitch."