Brazil vs Uruguay: 5 Classic Clashes in El Clásico del Río Negro

Brazil vs Uruguay, known as El Clásico del Río Negro and named for the river that flows from one to the other, is one of South America’s biggest and most significant football rivalries.

The neighbouring countries, despite their David vs Goliath mismatch, have traded blows on a football pitch as equals for more than a century. They are two of the most successful sides in World Cup and Copa America history and have produced many historic moments.

Here’s a look back at five classic clashes between Brazil and Uruguay over the last 100 years…

1920 Copa America

For close to a century until Brazil’s humiliation at the hands of Germany in the 2014 World Cup, the Selecao’s record defeat was the 6-0 battering dished out by Uruguay at the 1920 South American Championship – later to be known as the Copa America.

It was only the fourth edition of the world’s first international tournament and the previous three had been won exclusively by Brazil and Uruguay. The latter had won the first two in 1916 and 1917, while Brazil were reigning champions from 1919.

In 1920 in Chile, Uruguay destroyed Brazil’s hopes of retaining the trophy, thrashing their larger neighbours 6-0 in the second round of fixtures in the round-robin format.

Early Uruguayan star Angel Romano scored twice that day, with a number of the side going on two win an Olympic gold medal four years later. Young defender Domingo Tejera was also later part of the 1930 World Cup winning squad as well.

1950 World Cup ‘Final’

Due to the odd format of the tournament, there was no World Cup final in 1950, but the clash between Brazil and Uruguay at the Maracana was the last game and effective a de facto final as it was responsible for determining the tournament winner.

The iconic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro was built especially for the World Cup and Brazil expected to win. Both teams had reached the final round group by topping their respective first round groups and then Brazil beat Sweden 7-1 and Spain 6-1 to move within reach of the Jules Rimet trophy.

Uruguay, meanwhile, had drawn with Spain and narrowly beaten Sweden. Brazil therefore only needed a draw against Uruguay in the last game to clinch the title. Uruguay had to win.

Things were going to plan for Brazil when Friaca opened the scoring early in the second half, but Juan Alberto Schiaffino silenced the partisan home crowd with an equaliser. Winger Alcides Ghiggia then put Uruguay ahead, beating goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa the near post – the Brazilian stopper was blamed for the defeat and never escaped it for the rest of his life.

Uruguay lifted their second World Cup, while Brazil opted to ditch their white kits that were reminders of the painful heartbreak, soon adopting their famous yellow shirts.

1970 World Cup Semi-Final

Brazil and Uruguay met in the latter stages of the World Cup again in 1970, a semi-final clash that produced one of the most famously audacious pieces of skill in football history.

Brazil’s all-conquering side prevailed 3-1 after goals from Clodoaldo, Jairzinho and Rivelino – the decisive latter two both coming in the final 15 minutes. Luis Cubila had actually given Uruguay an early lead and threatened another famous World Cup upset.

But the reason this clash remains famous is not the result, but the enduring short video clip in which Pele pulled off a dummy to completely flummox Uruguay goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz.

Brazil’s iconic number 10 ran onto a pass from Tostao, but let the ball run past him, causing Mazurkiewicz to miss it as he anticipated Pele taking it forward. Pele collected the ball on the other side and fired at a (mostly) open goal. The fact he missed the target has become irrelevant.

1989 Copa America ‘Final’

Another ‘final’ that wasn’t really a final saw Brazil and Uruguay face each other in the last game of the 1989 Copa America to decide who would lift the trophy. Taking place once more in the Maracana, it was 39 years after La Celeste had made a whole nation cry.

Uruguay didn’t set their first round group alight, winning two and losing two of their games, with goal difference all that put them through to the final group ahead of Chile and Ecuador. In the other side of the tournament, Brazil were more convincing but still only won two of their games.

Both nations turned it on for the final round, each 3-0 and 2-0 against Paraguay and Argentina respectively. The latter was a full strength Argentina side, reigning world champions including Diego Maradona, who reached another World Cup final a year later.

There was no heartbreak or mourning for Brazil in the de facto final this time around, with a solitary second half goal from Romario handing them the win and the trophy.

1995 Copa America Final

Uruguay beat Brazil on penalties in the 1995 Copa America to be crowned South American champions on home soil.

Brazil escaped the group stage with a 100% winning record and without conceding a goal, but their route to the final was tougher as it included a tough quarter-final clash against Argentina. Only a late equaliser from Tulio kept the Selecao in the competition.

Uruguay, meanwhile, saw off a strong Colombia side in the last four, having already beaten Bolivia.

The final in Montevideo ended 1-1 in normal time, with goals coming from Brazil’s Tulio and Uruguay’s Pablo Bengoechea. But having been a hero up to that point, Tulio then missed in the penalty shootout that followed, with Manteca netting the decisive kick for Uruguay.

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