Alcides Ghiggia, the man who scored the Maracanazo

Last update 18 September, 2024 by Alberto Llopis

“Only three people in history have managed to silence the Maracana with a single gesture: Pope, Frank Sinatra and”. Well defined, Guck alcides, a man 16 July 1950 He had the happy idea of ​​scoring a goal that served to stop crying over stadium 200.000 spectators ready to watch Brazil crowned world champion for the first time in its history.

Alcides Ghiggia, one of the best Uruguayan footballers in history

He had lots and lots of good Ghigghia on the field. Fast, smart and easy to see door, was part of the Squadron of Death, the quintet that had crowned a formidable team Peñarol (only lost one match in 1949) and of which he was part with myths like Juan Hohberg, Enrique Hugo and Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Ernesto Vidal.

Great soccer players, where some put goals, magic and other quality and one, Ghiggia, did a bit of everything. Maybe, his best illustration was the goal he scored in 1949 ante River Plate, a play where he could see the best of him.

Even though, definitely, What marked his career was the Brazil World Cup 1950. Uruguay again after winning the World Cup of 1930 and no victory streak would end in Brazil. Partly because Gigghia was to be converted into a voracious scorer he was going to score four goals in the championship, with the nuance that three would be in all three games of the final phase.

The man who culminated with his goal ‘El Maracanazo’

Among them, the goal of the century, of history, as you wish, because its importance is likely to be the highest ever recorded in a football field. the minutes played 79 the last game of the World. Brazil, he had better draw to be crowned champions, only the victory to Uruguay.

With a tie, Alcides Ghigghia released a launch with her left leg: Barbosa beat the target, Brazilian goalkeeper who was in the wrong place the wrong party. It was a hard shot, dry, maybe it was comparable but that ended in a goal.

The greatest feat of history, the Maracanazo, the end of the world for a country and for Barbosa man who in his last days of life confess: “the maximum penalty in Brazil is 30 years in prison, but I've been paying for something I'm not even responsible, now makes 50 years”.

A fruitful stage in Italy and selection change

Then, Ghiggia, an idol in Uruguay went to Italy, where he played 12 years in Rome, where even Italian nationalized getting to play with the Azzurri's World Cup finals 58. But it was not the same, Ghigghia was uruguayo, Uruguay is and always will be. Despite suffering in a terrible traffic accident in 2012 it was on the verge of death, He still lived 3 more years until his death 16 July 2015 to the 89 years.

PD: because of him, one of the best Uruguayan footballers in history, Brazil stopped playing and went white to yellow.