December 29 – Alcides Ghiggia (pictured), whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at the Maracana Stadium in the 1950 World Cup against Brazil, has been immortalised at the stadium’s sidewalk of fame.
The striker became the 100th person to leave his footprints there, joining players such as Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Pele, Romario, Zagallo, Kaka and Dunga.
Ghiggia, only the sixth foreign player honoured on the walk, scored the winner as Uruguay came from behind to beat Brazil 2-1 in front of nearly 200,000 fans at Maracana.
Brazil needed only a draw to win the title in the final match of the tournament and most fans were certain of securing the World Cup until Ghiggia’s go-ahead goal in the 79th minute gave Uruguay its second world title.
The defeat has haunted the Brazilian players for the rest of their lives and has been known in Brazil ever since as “The Fateful Final.”
Ghiggia once said he silenced one of the world’s greatest stadiums.
He boasted: ”Only three people in history have managed to silence the Maracana with a single gesture: the Pope, Frank Sinatra and I.”
Upon his return to the stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the shy 83-year-old declined to take questions from reporters, limiting himself to a few pleasantries and a “Viva Brazil” before leaving.
He said: ”I’m a bit emotional.
“I just want to thank everyone from my heart for the reception I’ve been given.”
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