Taça das Nações
The Taça das Nações (Portuguese for "Nations' Cup") or "Little World Cup"[1] was a football tournament played in Brazil in 1964 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Brazilian Football Confederation. Three international teams were invited, Argentina, Portugal and England, for the competition which was played in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during late May and early June.
The tournament was intended to showcase the favourites for the upcoming 1966 FIFA World Cup hosted by England, but in the match between England and Brazil, Pelé devastated the England defence with skill and hard running, leaving England forward Jimmy Greaves to remark "Pelé is on another bloody planet". The England vs. Portugal game was also notable for being marred by controversy when Portuguese player José Torres attempted to punch the referee for disallowing an off-side Portuguese goal. The player was sent off, but was considered lucky not to face a lifetime ban from football. In another violent event, Pele gave a headbutt to Argentine player José Agustín Messiano, breaking the player's nose, having to be replaced by Roberto Telch.[2]
The Argentine team eventually won the tournament after defeating Brazil in their game in São Paulo. Reportedly the Brazilian FA had already engraved the Brazilian player's names onto the watches intended as prizes for the winning team.
Table
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
| 23x15px Brazil | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 |
 Portugal |
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
 England |
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
The points system gave 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
Results
|
May 30, 1964
|
| Brazil 23x15px | 5–1 | England |
|---|---|---|
Rinaldo  Rinaldo Pelé Julinho Roberto Dias |
Jimmy Greaves |
|
Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Attendance: 77,000 |
|
June 4, 1964
|
| England |
1–1 | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Hunt |
Fernando Peres |
|
Pacaembu Stadium, São Paulo
Attendance: 25,000 |
|
June 6, 1964
|
| Argentina |
1–0 | England |
|---|---|---|
| Alfredo Rojas |
|
Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Attendance: 15,000 |
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.osclassicos.com/2000/01/el-primer-gran-titulo-argentino.html
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