Staged in the wake of the Great Chilean Earthquake, which decimated the infrasturcture, including several of the proposed tournament venues, the 1962 FIFA World Cup eventually took place between May 30 and June 17, 1962. When it did, the tournament was spoilt by brutality on the pitch, characterised by the Group 2 match between Chile and Italy at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago on June 2, 1962, dubbed the ‘Battle of Santiago’.
The tournament format consisted of just four groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the knockout stage. Eventual champions Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 and Spain 2-1 either side of a goalless draw with Czechoslovakia, all at Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar, to top Group 3 and set up a quarter-final meeting with Group 4 runners-up England.
Again at Estadio Sausalito, Brazil won 3-1, thanks to a brace of goals from Garrincha and another from Vavá. The semi-final against the hosts, Chile, at the Estadio Nacional, finished 4-2 in favour of the Brazilians, with Garrincha and Vavá scoring two goals apiece. However, Chilean forward Honorino Landa was dismissed with 10 minutes of normal time remaining and, four minutes later, was followed into the dressing room by Garrincha, such that the match finished ten-a-side.
The World Cup final, at the same venue, was a repeat of the second Group 3 match between Brazil and Czechoslovakia but, even in the absence of Pelé – who suffered a groin strain in the first meeting between the teams and took no further part in the tournament – was a much more entertaining affair. Czechoslovakia led, albeit briefly, thanks to a goal by Josef Masopust after 15 minutes but, capitalising on a error by goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf, who failed to protect his near post, Brazilian striker Amarildo equalised just two minutes later. Midfielder Zito gave Brazil the lead after 69 minutes and, nine minutes later, Schrof was again at fault, dropping a high ball at the feet of Vavá at the edge of the six-yard box, allowing the striker to pass the ball into the empty net. The match finished 3-1 and Brazil had retained the Jules Rimet Trophy.