maracana

Adidas The Final: #allin

The final moment has come. Who will take the trophy home? Germany? Argentina? It’s glory or doom. It’s black or white. It’s #allin or nothing.

Adidas Brazuca Final Rio

Adidas’ official match ball of the World Cup final has been updated. The Brazuca Final Rio will be used only once in the last game of the competition when Germany face Argentina on Sun 13 July, in the Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro.

O Canarinho: The Most Iconic Shirt in History

Known ‘O Canarinho’ The Little Canary, it is one of the most iconic images in sport. Yellow flashing with blue on bronzed skin, dancing, darting, with a ball moving like paint strokes. Zig-zags, turns, pass, pass pass. Brazil. The cradle of football. Movers. Masters. The jersey of the Selecao epitomises soccer and the World Cup, and when the tournament kicks off in Sao Paulo on June 12, millions will wear the beloved shirt in a nation besotted with the beautiful game. And yet, the garment wouldn’t exist – certainly not in its current form – without the devastation of Brazil’s loss in the 1950 World Cup final and the subsequent imagination of a 19-year-old from the city of Pelotas.

South Central: Americas Highlights

South America’s biggest club competition, the Copa Libertadores, never fails to entertain and there’s further highlights from around the region. In the best of the week’s action, Ronaldinho is showered with affection, and coins, Brazil’s champions are beaten, and there’s a belter from Mexico.

Godín Heaven if Uruguay Repeat Glory

Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950 when Uruguay shocked their neighbours by winning the final at the Maracana in a game that still haunts the natives. To coincide with PUMA’s launch of Uruguay’s World Cup kit, Diego Godín looks forward to returning to the scene of glory.

Brazil Exorcises ‘El Fantasma del 50′

Brazilians are still haunted by the 1950 World Cup final defeat to neighbours Uruguay – a game that became known as the Maracanazo – the Maracana blow. Last November Puma, kit suppliers to ‘Los Charrúas,’ sent the Ghost of 1950 to Rio de Janeiro to remind the natives. Now Brazil has responded.

‘El Fantasma del 50’ Haunts Rio

Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950 when Uruguay shocked their neighbours by winning the final at the Maracana in a game that still haunts the natives. Now Puma, kit suppliers to ‘Los Charrúas,’ have sent the Ghost of 1950 to Rio de Janeiro ahead of next summer’s competition.

Maracana History Repeating Itself

It’s ironic that the reopening of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium with Brazil vs England should be overshadowed by accusations that the venue isn’t ready. It’s merely a case of history repeating itself. In the second instalment of The Brazil Series, a collection of articles inspired by the world’s greatest footballing cradle, Póg Mo Goal looks at the storied past of the iconic ground that holds a special place in the heart of all Brazilians.