Chile 1962
Despite being shaken by a massive earthquake two years prior to the World Cup, Chile were awarded with a chance to host the tournament. It was the World Cup when the “Little Bird”- Garrincha took centre stage. The most feared winger in the world was at the peak of his powers. With Pele’s early injury that ruled him out, Amarildo and Vava took the goal-scoring responsibility for the Seleção. A grudge match dubbed as the “Battle of Santiago” between hosts Chile and Italy saw two Italians: Giorgio Ferrini and Mario David sent off. David was shown red for kicking Chile’s Sanchez in the neck in retaliation to being punched by Sanchez. The match was the ugliest match in the history of the World Cup. The Chileans won 2-0 and progressed all the way to the semis where they were well beaten by Brazil. Brazil met Czechoslovakia in the final. The Czechs took an early lead through Josef Masopust before Amarildo equalised. Two second-half goals from Zito and Vava gave Brazil the victory and Brazil were back-to-back Champions.
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Winners: Brazil
Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia
Golden Boot: Florian Albert (Hun),Valentin Ivanov (Urs),Drazen Jerkovic (Yug),Leonel Sanchez (Chi),Vava (Bra) And Garrincha (Bra)