The 1950 competition in Brazil was bizarre to say the least, with no knock-out competition, and Uruguay moving into the final pool after only one match against sub-standard opposition.

Several teams refused to play in the tournament amid widespread squabbling. France pulled out because of their fixture programme and India declined when their request to play barefooted was denied by FIFA.

In Britain, the Home Championship was used as part of the qualification with the top two to qualify for the World Cup finals.

But, when England beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park to win the title, the Scots carried out their threat not to go to the finals unless they were champions.

Hot favourites Brazil angered their rivals by contriving to play every match bar one in Rio, as other sides travelled hundreds of miles in the sweltering heat for their games.

They cruised through Group one unbeaten, a 2-0 win over main rivals Yugoslavia sealing their place in the final pool.

Winners Uruguay had it even easier, playing only one match, against a feeble Bolivian outfit. They scored eight times, with the brilliant Juan Schiaffino helping himself to four goals.

Spain won all three matches to top Group two, finishing with a 1-0 win over an England side that had already been embarrassed by rank outsiders USA after opening their campaign with an unimpressive 2-0 win over Chile.

England manager Walter Winterbottom had in his squad Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney, Stan Mortensen, Wilf Mannion and Billy Wright but the team failed to live up to expectations.

England's humiliating defeat against the Americans was secured by a 37th minute winner from Larry Gaetjens. England keeper Bert Williams failed to claim a Walter Bahr cross and Gaetjens scored with a header.

The last place in the final pool was grabbed by Sweden who stunned Italy in Sao Paulo before being held 2-2 by Paraguay.

Brazil started the last round with a bang, Ademir's four goals helping them to a 7-1 rout of Sweden and when Uruguay and Spain drew 2-2 the host nation was firmly in the driving seat.

And when Ademir and Chico tore Spain to shreds, the tournament looked as good as over with Brazil racing to a 6-1 victory.

Uruguay kept their faint hopes alive by beating Sweden in a pulsating battle in Sao Paulo but surely they could not do the impossible and shock Brazil.

The Brazilians, needing only a point to be crowned world champions, got off to a cracking start with a goal from Friaca before Uruguay bounced back to pull off an upset.

First Schiaffio levelled and then Ghiggia drove a low shot past Barbosa in the 79th minute to snatch the trophy from Brazil.

While the winners of the Cup was being decided in Rio, Sweden restored some respectability by beating their European rivals 3-1 and handing Spain the wooden spoon in the process.

But the 1950 World Cup will be remembered as a competition marred by controversy and dominated by the South American teams.