GREATEST GAMES

1950 July 16 Uruguay 2-1 Brazil

The “Maracanazo” (Agony of Maracana) left a deep and lasting wound on Brazilian football that has arguably never healed. The hosts needed only to avoid defeat to be crowned world champions, but lost 2-1 to goals from Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia. The defeat led to a period of national mourning in Brazil, with goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa cast as a villain for the next 50 years.

2014 July 13 Germany 1-0 Argentina (AET)

Germany became the first European country to win a World Cup in South America, as an extra-time strike from Mario Gotze saw them defeat Argentina in the 2014 final. It was Germany’s first World Cup triumph since they beat the same opponents in Rome 24 years earlier.

2016 August 20 Brazil 1 (P) 1-1 Germany

Two years after Brazil were humiliated 7-1 by Germany at the 2014 World Cup, they got their revenge by beating them 5-4 on penalties at the Maracana to win their first men’s Olympic football gold medal. The match ended 1-1 after extra-time, as Neymar’s 25-yard free-kick was cancelled out by Max Meyer’s strike.