BRAZIL MAKES IT TWO-IN-A-ROW
The Czechs took the lead in the final, before the Brazilians equalised two minutes later and then went on to score two more to retain the title.
After two consecutive Europeanbased tournaments — Switzerland 1954 and Sweden 1958 — the World Cup returned to South America, 12 years after Brazil played host. FIFA’S choice of Chile, however, raised more than a few eyebrows as it was believed to be sorely deficient in many areas (stadiums, access roads, capacity) and seemed incapable of playing host to such a large-scale event.
Fifty six teams — a new record — took part in the qualifying rounds, which saw the elimination of France and Sweden, two of the big guns from the 1954 tournament.
Many first-round games in this 1962 World Cup such as USSR vs Yugoslavia, Chile vs Italy and West Germany vs Switzerland, were unfortunately marred by physical violence.
The ugly side of football had reared its head: all the more apparent because the Brazilian world champions were not really
able to deliver their usual scintillating style of play, and had problems getting into their stride. And the injury sustained by Pele against Yugoslavia did nothing to make matters easier. The star of the 195■ World Cup finally limped out of the 1962 tournament for good following a muscle injury suffered against Czechoslovakia.
Nevertheless, the Brazilians, led by Garrincha and Mario Zagallo, though less devastating than in Sweden, managed to qualify for the quarterfinals, which was not to be the case for Uruguay, Argentina or Italy.
The tournament’s emotional high-spot came in the quarterfinals when the host nation, Chile, defeated the USSR (2-1) and the whole country took to the streets to celebrate. The Chileans’ joy was short lived, however, for in the semifinal, the Brazilians proved too strong for them. Brazil therefore qualified for its second consecutive final. Its opponent for the title was to be Czechoslovakia, surprise winner over Yugoslavia in the semis. The Czechs had already forced a draw (0-0) against the Brazilians in the first round and also miraculously beaten the Hungarians in the quarterfinals, the latter having struck the post no less than four times.
Against all the odds it was the Czechs who took the lead in the final, before the Brazilians equalised two minutes later and then went on to score two more to retain the title; a magnificent feat from a team, including nine players who had taken part in the victorious 1958 campaign. Brazil joined Italy and Uruguay in the honours list as the nations to have won the Jules Rimet Trophy on two occasions.