World Cup moments: The Maracanazo

Standing in their way are minnows Uruguay, who must pull off an upset of epic proportions and beat the home side if they are to win the World Cup.

In the days leading up to the match, there was a party atmosphere in Rio, and with good reason. Brazil had swept away all before them in this World Cup so far, beating Sweden and Spain 7-1 and 6-1, respectively.

Their attacking style of play had proved impossible to defend against, while Uruguay had stuttered to a win and a draw against the same two teams. Moreover, in the Copa America the previous year, Uruguay were dispatched equally as ruthlessly by Brazil, 5-1. Gold medals were printed with the Brazilian's names on, and the mayor of Rio even made a speech declaring his country to be World Champions, three hours before kickoff.

This game was meant to be a formality. 

The official crowd on the day was 173,850, although it is likely more than 200,00 were in the famous stadium - around 100 of them Uruguayan - and things started largely as they would have expected. 

Brazil raced out of the blocks, winning a corner withing seconds and registering four shots on goal in the opening four minutes. It came as some surprise that Uruguay made it to half time with the game still scoreless. 

Two minutes into the second half and the roof was raised in Rio. Brazil went 1-0 up thanks to Friaça, who bobbled a shot over the line. Needing only a draw, remember, Brazil had one hand on the trophy. However, Uruguay captain, Obdulio Varela, had other ideas. 

Earlier in the morning he had bought as many copies of the local papers as he could find, featuring the headline "Brasil Campeao 1950", and encourgaged his players to urinate on them. He was at it again after Brazil scored, seemingly remonstrating with the linesman but actually playing for time, waiting for the Stadium to quiet down. 

"Let them shout," he said to his team mates. "In five minutes the stadium will seem like a graveyard, and then only one voice will be heard. Mine!"

His prediction was to come true, but perhaps not as quickly as he thought. 

However, Brazil's imperious attack was masking a frail defence and Uruguay went for the jugular. On 66 minutes they were level. Schiffiano scored at the near post after some trickery from Ghiggia. 

A sense of unease began to develop over the Maracana. It was not silent, but for the first time there were some thoughts that maybe Brazil were not invincible. The decisive blow came ten minutes from time. A Brazil attack, their first since the equaliser, was cut out and Uruguay broke. 

Ghiggia was played in again and fired a finish under the indecisive goalkeeper, and 200,000 hearts were broken. 

It was a scene of utter disbelief, and not a sound was made inside the stadium. 

It would remain this way for the rest of the match - complete silence as Uruguay played out the final minutes. 

When the final whistle came, during a scramble at a corner, there were scenes of jubilation. For the 100 Uruguay fans and their players. They took it in turn to hug the referee and shake his hand. The silence from the rest of the fans was described as "utter and traumatic."

It was a seismic result that has a marked effect on Brazilian culture to this day. On that day in Rio, there were suicides.

Uruguay were presented the trophy by Jules Rimet, whose police escort was crying as they brought him onto the pitch. Brazil even changed their kit to the famous yellow after the blue worn in this tournament was deemed unpatriotic.

Uruguay have never reached these heights again, while there was a state of mourning in Brazil following this result - the country convinced they would never win the World Cup. 68 years later, Brazil have won the trophy five times, and the scars of that day in Rio may finally be healing.