CLASSIC UFWC TITLE MATCH:

Brazil 0-3 France
13 July 1998
World Cup Final, Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Scorers: Zidane (2), Petit

The greatest night in the history of French football began with confusion and controversy. Brazil’s official team sheet showed that mercurial striker Ronaldo, already the scorer of four goals in the tournament, had been replaced in the line up by Edmundo. Brazil fans and neutrals were united in disappointment, believing they had been robbed of a chance to see perhaps the world’s best player on the world’s best stage.

Rumours circulated that Ronaldo was injured, had been taken to hospital, and had not travelled to the game. Then, in a remarkable turnaround, Brazilian officials issued a new team sheet, with Ronaldo restored to the line up, and his name marked in large capital letters. Further rumours suggested that powerful unknowns, be they governing bodies or sponsors, had demanded Ronaldo play, whatever his state of fitness.

The unfortunate Edmundo, nicknamed ‘The Animal’, was understandably unhappy, and was said to have been at the centre of a rather heated debate in the Brazilian dressing room. It was later reported that Ronaldo had suffered a convulsive fit just hours before the game, apparently as a result of emotional stress.

Whatever the truth, the Brazil team took to the field for this World Cup / UFWC double-header holding hands but apparently in disarray. The stadium PA system played the theme from Star Wars, highly appropriate if Brazil’s big names were at loggerheads.

Even the most causal observer could see that something was awry. Ronaldo was clearly unfit, a shadow of himself, and barely able to touch the ball. Talented individuals like Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, and Bebeto should still have given France a good game.

But the French also had excellent players, including Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, and Zinedine Zidane. And the night that was supposed to belong to Ronaldo ended up belonging to Zidane.

Despite being seen to vomit on the pitch, ‘Zizou’ scored twice in the first half, heading home corner kicks from both flanks. By way of response Brazil rarely threatened, although French keeper Fabian Barthez looked characteristically shaky, and almost dropped a couple of crosses into his own net.

Desailly was sent off in the second half, but Brazil were unable to turn their man advantage into goals. Indeed, with Brazil foraging up front, substitute Patrick Viera sent fellow Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit through to score a third killer goal in injury time.

At the final whistle Brazilian players and fans were reduced to tears. Such a comprehensive defeat was hard for them to bear. But there was joy for France, with Deschamps becoming the first French captain to lift the World Cup.

Zidane, despite having been sent-off in the first round, emerged as the star of the tournament, and a national hero. He had, within the space of 90 minutes, arguably eclipsed even the amazing achievements of the great Michel Platini.

The French partied into the night, with over a million revellers packing the Champs Elysees in Paris. Who knows how many more might have turned up if they had known that they had also won the UFWC..?

This is an edited extract from the Unofficial Football World Champions book, which tells the story of the UFWC via more than 100 classic title matches. Get more details here.

Classic Matches brazil, France

CLASSIC UFWC TITLE MATCH:

Chile 0-3 Brazil
20 April 1952
Pan American Championships, Estadio Nacional, Santiago
Scorers: Ademir (2), Pinga

Neither Brazil nor Chile won the 1950 World Cup – that honour went to Uruguay – but Brazil finished second in the tournament, and Chile emerged as UFWC champions, taking the title from the USA but failing to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.

Both Brazil and Chile then went straight into the inaugural Pan American Championships, a round-robin competition involving six sides from three American continents.

Hosts Chile were clear favourites, and set about their opposition in devastating style, whacking Panama 6-1 and Mexico 4-0, then seeing off Peru 3-2 and official champions Uruguay 2-0.

At the time, Chile boasted a formidable side containing some of the greatest players in the country’s history, including goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (known as ‘El Sapo’ or ‘The Frog’ for his leaping ability), and free-scoring forwards Enrique Hormazabal, Atilio Cre-maschi and Rene Melendez.

Brazil, meanwhile, saw their reputation suffer after losing out in the World Cup. They changed their coach and training techniques, and drafted in new players to bolster their squad, but the Brazilian press and public were hardly backing their team.

A stuttering start to the tournament drained confidence and hopes, but a spirited and combative win over the mighty Uruguay in the penultimate round of matches soon changed that. Suddenly, Brazil were one point behind leaders Chile going into a final decisive match between the two sides.

Victory for Brazil would see them win the tournament – and the UFWC. A loss or draw would hand the glory to Chile.

Brazil were UFWC virgins, having never contested the title. They were captained by the brilliant two-footed Vasco da Gama forward Ademir Marques de Menezes, known simply as Ademir (or ‘Queixada’, which means ‘Jaw’, due to his prominent jawline). Ademir had won the golden Shoe at the 1950 World Cup, netting nine goals. And, with Ademir leading the line, the Brazilians did not disappoint.

The match was described as a fantastic spectacle, with Brazil showing great technique and skill, and peppering the Chilean goal with shots. English referee Charles Dean had little cause to blow his whistle as the match was contested in a ‘keen but fair’ manner.

Despite the best efforts of Chilean keeper Livingstone, Brazil took a 2-0 lead into half-time courtesy of the deadly Ademir. (Chile’s star man, George Robledo, was missing from their line-up, busy playing as a trail-blazing foreign import in England for Newcastle United.)

The second half was all about Brazil keeping possession, but was notable for both sides making three substitutions – the Pan American Championships being one of the first competitions in the world to allow such changes. One of the Brazilian subs, Pinga of Portuguesa, popped up with a goal, and the match ended 3-0.

Brazil won their first ever-international tournament in the Pan American Championships, and took the UFWC title at the first time of asking. A promising start for the international side that would go on to be one of the most successful in football history.

This is an edited extract from the Unofficial Football World Champions book, which tells the story of the UFWC via more than 100 classic title matches. Get more details here.

Classic Matches brazil, chile