Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

World Cup Countdown: 17 Weeks to Go - Alcides Ghiggia, the Man Who Silenced the Maracanã

Scorer of the winning goal in the 1950 World Cup, Alcides Ghiggia's name is etched into footballing history as the player responsible for completing one of the sports most unlikely comebacks.

The Uruguayan winger's goal not only helped overturn a one goal deficit, it helped his country become the first winners of the competition under the revised format of a second round-robin group stage.

Even more surprising, was the defeating of the much heralded Brazil, who had dominated all and sundry in the competition. The tournament hosts had scored 13 goals against Sweden and Spain in the two proceeding group games, opposition that had troubled Ghiggia's Uruguayan side.