Tag Archives: Azzurri

Alcides Ghiggia: Remembering the man who silenced the Maracana

  • Alcides Ghiggia died 65 years to the day his goal won the 1950 World Cup for Uruguay
  • Ghiggia was oldest living World Cup winner
  • Played club football for Penarol, AS Roma, AC Milan and Danubio
  • Represented Italy as well as his native Uruguay

ON THURSDAY 16th JULY, Alcides Ghiggia’s heart beat its final beat, his lungs drew their final breath and his eyes closed for a final time. According to his son, in the final moments preceding his death, he had been talking about football.

At the age of 88, Ghiggia’s passing prompted Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez to declare 3 days of national mourning in his honour.

Sixty-five years ago to the day of his death, in the final match of the 1950 World Cup, those lungs and that heart had propelled Ghiggia’s 5′ 6″ frame and match-stick thin legs into the penalty area of the newly built Maracana stadium.

With ten minutes to go, and with Brazil only needing a point to be crowned World Champions, two nations held their breath:
Continue reading Alcides Ghiggia: Remembering the man who silenced the Maracana

Street fighting Suárez bites off more than he can chew

As the final whistle blew at Natal’s Estadio das Dunas, Uruaguay striker Luis Suárez stood alone in the centre circle. As his team-mates celebrated the 1-0 victory which had ensured their progress to the last 16 of the World Cup Finals at the expense of Italy, the Liverpool striker suspected his own tournament would end in customary controversy. Continue reading Street fighting Suárez bites off more than he can chew

Catenaccio: Unlocked

A common stereotype in the coverage of Italian football is that it is still bound and shackled in the all-encompassing embrace of Catenaccio, the tactical system which came to prominence during the 1960s with a strong emphasis on defence.

The Azzurri are often described as playing in the “Catenaccio style” and whilst certain characteristics remain, the system itself died many years ago.

Continue reading Catenaccio: Unlocked