Uruguay-Brazil, a classic from the depths of history

More than 100 years ago, in 1916 in Buenos Airesthe first ‘South American’ (as it was called at that time) was played. And they were already face to face, Uruguay and Brazilwithin the framework of a quadrangular in which he also participated Argentina and Chile. And the champion was… Uruguay .

Since the beginning of history, the Celeste and the Canarinha have fostered an unparalleled rivalry. To the point that one changed the history of the other.

The final of the Maracana World Cup 1950 It was surely the biggest defeat in Brazilian football, because at home when a draw in the last match was enough, and after leading 1-0 in the second half, the 2-1 defeat with goals from Schiaffino and Ghiggia took the Cup from them in front of 200,000 fans. The sky blue with Obdulio Varela As captain he produced the immense surprise that left everyone stunned. Brazil.

But that defeat changed the history of Brazil . Pele He told more than once that in his homeland of Three Heartsin full state of Minas Geraislistened to the final on the radio with his father, when he was only 9 years old. And when he saw his “pai” cry, he swore that he would be world champion, an achievement he achieved at the age of 17, in Sweden 1958.

But history records another key fact. Brazil He played in a white jersey in his first four World Cups, from 1930 to 1950. Maracanazo buried the white one, and generated the need for a new jersey.

A public competition was held, which was won by Aldyr García Schlee, a cartoonist who lived in the South, very close to the border with Uruguay. For this reason, “I, due to my proximity and knowledge of Uruguayan football more than Brazilian football, supported Uruguay, being Brazilian in 1950.” Just as you read it!!

Aldyr He imagined the green-yellow jersey, the famous “canarinha”, with which Brazil began the triumphant cycle of three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970. The white one was buried after the collective tears of 1950, and a new design accompanied the five World Cups won in total.

But there is more. I am convinced that the legend of Maracanazo It was built more by the Brazilians than by the Uruguayans themselves. They were the defeated, with the wounds still raw but also with the ability to be reborn after that 2-1, who every July 16 remembered what happened in 1950. They were the defeated, with the strength of 200 million inhabitants and their subsequent glory, who made everything more intense. Maracanazo.

I will illustrate this with just one example, because it is still fresh in my mind and it continues to amaze me.

In it Pacaembù StadiumIn Sao Paulo, there is the Brazilian Football Museum. It commemorates Pele, Garrincha, Ronaldo, Romarioto all the greats of all time from that land. We remember the five Cups won, we remember everything we have achieved.

But in the middle of the tour, and with mandatory passage because otherwise you cannot continue through the Museum, there is a small, rather dark room, with a canvas from ceiling to wall, in which a video of just over a minute is repeated uninterruptedly, in such a way that every Brazilian who goes to the Museum is obliged to see it.

The video is about the 1950 final. It says something like this: “Goal by Brazil, the Cup was ours. Goal by Uruguay, the Cup was still ours. But… Goal by Uruguay…”, and a deafening silence crowns the video, which repeats itself over and over again throughout the day.

If you are looking for something incredible, there you have it. In the Museum to remember all the victories, the greatest defeat is exhibited!! Perhaps, because the 50th was the springboard for the subsequent triumphs.

Uruguay and Brazil They have met many more times. In Mexico 1970, the victory was for the North Americans, in the semi-final in Guadalajara. In 1983, Uruguay tied in Salvador on the road, and won the Copa América.