Claudio Carsughi is probably the only man alive who witnessed Maracanazo, the disaster of hosts Brazil going down to a shattering 2-1 defeat at the hands of Uruguay in the final of the 1950 World Cup on July 16, held at the Maracana. As an 18-year old journalist working for Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, he covered the infamous match. Born at Arezzo in Italy in 1932, the 82-year old journalist, sports commentator and engineer shared his unforgettable memories of that eventful game at the Radio Jovem Pan in Sao Paulo where he has been working since 1957. Besides his radio work, Carsughi is also employed at Portuguese television channel Sport TV.
Carsughi, still looking fresh and not showing any reflection of his age apart from being a little slow in his steps, laughed while taking a trip down memory lane. “I came to Brazil in 1946 with my family and I remember it was my first assignment. I was thrilled. As an 18-year old lad (in 1950) I was with my family. The atmosphere was unbelievable with nearly 200,000 people at the stadium. The whole country was behind the Brazilian team. I remember there were mass prayers on Saturday and Sunday (the day of the final),” said Carsughi.
He recalled the moment. “People were standing beside the sidelines. They were confident that Brazil would win the title. Brazil were in tremendous form going to the World Cup as the South American champions and with a record of beating Uruguay 5-1 in the Copa America in 1949. Brazil, playing in their first World Cup final and with players like Zizinho, Ademir and Jair, looked invincible,” added the veteran journalist.
He was thrilled while stating that about 30 journalists, among them five from Brazil, covered the World Cup. “In that time coming to Brazil was costly and also time consuming. I remember the Italians coming by plane while some of them arrived by ship,” said Carsughi.
Then he started to describe the game. “Brazil were playing well. They dominated the first half. Uruguay did not threaten Brazil. I remember Zizinho and Jair played very well. Ademir’s powerful header from a Chico cross was superbly saved by Uruguayan keeper Roque Maspoli who tipped over in spectacular style. I felt Brazil’s victory was just a matter of time,” he said.
Brazil scored first through Friaca before Uruguay equalised and notched the winning goal courtesy Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia.
“After the goal of Friaca the crowd exploded but it was silent when Schiaffino equalised and it was pin-drop silence when Ghiggia scored the winner,” added Carsughi. I went on to ask him if Moacir Barbosa Nascimento was to be blamed for conceding the winning goal. “No, he is not to blame. He was double-minded I think. He was thinking about whether to rush on or not but Ghiggia curved the ball past him. I remember he did not attend any public programme for the next ten years. The government had to provide protection for him,” said the legendary journalist.
Carsughi said Ghiggia is still alive and has arrived in Brazil for the World Cup. When queried about the aftermath, Carsughi added, “There were two sections. One was sitting stunned and other was vandalising everything. The security did not think about such consequences and they were also shell-shocked. A number of people died and there were some suicides also in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian people never forgot the heartbreak,” said Carsughi.
“I was in a mixed situation. I was ordered to sent the report emphasising upon the aftermath as early as possible. I was thrilled to complete the job and maybe because of it I absorbed the shock early,” added the witness of Maracanazo.
The veteran journalist said he is not liking the over-reliance on Neymar and Lionel Messi. “Now they are ahead of the compatriots. Others are not in their mark. In our time there were a lot of quality players who were neck-and-neck. Nowadays the players fail to continue their star status for a long time. Their star status are short-lived,” opined the Italian journalist who is now in his sixth decade covering sports.
Carsughi said he believes Brazil will win the World Cup. “Apart from relying on Neymar Brazil will show the teamwork and I think it should be enough. The penalty shootout win against Chile showed Brazil are having the lady luck’s favour. I hope Brazil will win it,” concluded the legendary journalist with a wry smile.
