Historic squad guide · Champion

Uruguay 1950 World Cup Squad

Uruguay's 1950 World Cup squad won the country's second title by navigating an unusual tournament format and defeating host Brazil in the decisive final-round match. The team played only four games, remained unbeaten and recovered from losing positions against both Sweden and Brazil.

Tournament resultChampion
Decisive matchUruguay 2–1 Brazil
Tournament record3 wins · 1 draw
Goals scored15
Goals conceded5
CaptainObdulio Varela
Top Uruguay scorerÓscar Míguez · 5
Head coachJuan López
Archive rating78

How the Uruguay 1950 team played

Juan López's side combined a strong central spine with flexible attacking movement. Captain Obdulio Varela controlled midfield rhythm and protected the defence, while Julio Pérez linked play in tighter areas. Alcides Ghiggia stretched the right side and repeatedly attacked the space outside Brazil's defence. Juan Schiaffino moved between midfield and the forward line, and Óscar Míguez provided penalty-area finishing. The team could defend compactly without becoming passive and was prepared to change momentum through direct, purposeful attacks.

Key players

Varela supplied leadership and the equaliser against Spain. Míguez scored five goals, including a hat-trick against Bolivia and two late goals against Sweden. Ghiggia scored in every match and delivered the title-winning goal against Brazil. Schiaffino contributed three goals, including the equaliser at the Maracanã, while goalkeeper Roque Máspoli and defenders Eusebio Tejera and Matías González resisted Brazil's pressure in the decisive match.

Legacy of the squad

The 2–1 victory over Brazil became known as the Maracanazo and remains one of the most significant upsets in World Cup history. Uruguay entered the final-round match needing a win against a host that required only a draw. The comeback, achieved before an official crowd of 173,850, gave Uruguay a second title in its second tournament appearance and turned Varela, Schiaffino and Ghiggia into permanent national symbols.

Every match from the tournament run

Uruguay 1950 World Cup results

First group stage

Uruguay 8–0 Bolivia

Míguez scored three, Schiaffino two and Vidal, Pérez and Ghiggia one each in Uruguay's only opening-group match.

Final round

Uruguay 2–2 Spain

Ghiggia opened the scoring before Spain moved 2–1 ahead; Varela equalised in the second half to preserve the unbeaten run.

Final round

Uruguay 3–2 Sweden

Uruguay trailed twice before Míguez scored in the 77th and 85th minutes to complete the comeback.

Final round decider

Uruguay 2–1 Brazil

After Friaça put Brazil ahead, Schiaffino equalised and Ghiggia scored the goal that delivered Uruguay's second title.

Verified lineup from the title-deciding match

Uruguay 1950 starting XI against Brazil

Uruguay's starting XI against Brazil used Roque Máspoli in goal; Matías González and Eusebio Tejera in the deepest defensive line; Schubert Gambetta, captain Obdulio Varela and Víctor Rodríguez Andrade across the supporting line; and Ghiggia, Pérez, Míguez, Schiaffino and teenage debutant Rubén Morán in attack. Position labels from the era do not map perfectly onto a modern formation, but Varela's central control and Ghiggia's width were decisive.

  1. 1Roque Máspoli
  2. 2Matías González
  3. 3Eusebio Tejera
  4. 4Schubert Gambetta
  5. 5Obdulio Varela
  6. 6Víctor Rodríguez Andrade
  7. 7Alcides Ghiggia
  8. 8Julio Pérez
  9. 9Óscar Míguez
  10. 10Juan Schiaffino
  11. 11Rubén Morán
Roles behind the tournament run

Key Uruguay 1950 player contributions

Captain and central leader

Obdulio Varela

Controlled the team's emotional response under pressure, protected the defence and scored the equaliser against Spain.

Right-sided attacker

Alcides Ghiggia

Scored in all four matches and created or finished the decisive attacks against Brazil, including the title-winning goal.

Inside forward and creator

Juan Schiaffino

Connected midfield with attack, scored three goals and equalised in the decisive match at the Maracanã.

Central goalscorer

Óscar Míguez

Led Uruguay with five goals, including a hat-trick against Bolivia and a late double against Sweden.

Goalkeeper

Roque Máspoli

Started the final three matches and resisted sustained Brazilian pressure after the host took the lead.

Defensive support

Víctor Rodríguez Andrade

Covered wide and central spaces and helped limit Brazil after Uruguay changed the momentum of the deciding match.

Suggested XI generated from archive order

7a0 suggested Uruguay 1950 lineup

This playable selection is separate from the verified historical final starting XI shown above.

#1MáspoliGK84
#0PazGK75
#2M. GonzálezCB / RB80
#3TejeraLB / CB80
#4GambettaCB78
#0J. C. GonzálezDM / CB / RM77
#0W. MartínezCB / RB74
#0VilchesCB73
#5VarelaDM / RM88
#6AndradeRM / CM / AM84
#0PiniCM / AM73
22 players

Complete Uruguay 1950 squad by position

Goalkeepers

  • #1MáspoliGK84
  • #0PazGK75

Defenders

  • #2M. GonzálezCB / RB80
  • #3TejeraLB / CB80
  • #4GambettaCB78
  • #0W. MartínezCB / RB74
  • #0VilchesCB73

Midfielders

  • #0J. C. GonzálezDM / CB / RM77
  • #5VarelaDM / RM88
  • #6AndradeRM / CM / AM84
  • #0PiniCM / AM73
  • #0OrtuñoCM / AM71
  • #8J. PérezAM / RW79
  • #10SchiaffinoAM / ST90

Forwards

  • #7GhiggiaRW86
  • #9MíguezST83
  • #11VidalRW / LM78
  • #0MoránLW / LM76
  • #0BritosLW / ST76
  • #0BurgueñoST / RW73
  • #0RomeroST72
  • #0RijoST / LW71
Legend markers in 7a0

Featured legends

MáspoliVarelaAndradeGhiggiaSchiaffino

Uruguay 1950 FAQ

Was Uruguay 1950 decided by a normal final?

No. The tournament used a four-team final round. Uruguay's last match against Brazil decided the title because Brazil needed a draw and Uruguay needed a win.

Who scored for Uruguay against Brazil?

Juan Schiaffino equalised and Alcides Ghiggia scored the winning goal.

How many games did Uruguay play in 1950?

Uruguay played four matches, winning three and drawing one.

Who captained Uruguay in 1950?

Obdulio Varela captained the team and was central to its organisation and response after Brazil scored.

Can I play with Uruguay 1950 in 7a0?

Yes. Uruguay 1950 is one of the synchronized historical squads available in the game archive.

Sources and editorial review

Editorial review: 7a0.online

Last reviewed: 2026-07-25

Historical results and lineups are checked against the cited records. Player ratings, position eligibility and suggested lineups are independent 7a0 editorial values.

Play With the Uruguay 1950 Squad