THE Second World War had been over for five years and across Europe cities and buildings were being rebuilt after the horrendous bombings.

People were getting their lives back together, trying to pick up the pieces fragmented by the war years.

The people in the streets had nothing very much at all - little money, yet there was hope for the future. With little money for luxuries, the people turned to football for their entertainment.

Football was cheap and the grounds were packed . . . life would go on.

So, after a 12-year gap, back came the World Cup to Brazil, samba-style. The British football associations had at last stopped sulking, finally FIFA was rejoined and we would start a World Cup tournament, albeit 20 years late.

The tournament itself was one of total disarray.

In fact, to describe the organisation of it as a shambles would be a massive under statement.

Everywhere was a complete disaster and yet it went ahead.

Scotland decided to withdraw from the competition after a squabble with FIFA.

More teams withdrew in the chaos.

Argentina, Belgium., Austria, Peru, India and Turkey all pulled out.

That left just 13 countries still playing.

Absurd yes - and yet out of the shambles came some fine entertainment. Brazil, playing in their own back yard, were obvious favourites and anyone who witnessed the sheer quality of their football, their passing and close control could not doubt the favouritism.

England, on paper at least, had a good squad and were expected to challenge for a final place. The squad included star names like Alf Ramsey (later Sir Alf), Tom Finney, Stan Mortensen, Billy Wright and Stanley Matthews. England were below par against Chile but managed to win and that put them in for the cake walk against United States.

No contest, England could have thrown eleven jerseys onto the pitch and won. They would even leave out Stanley Matthews, he would be required later.

There followed, arguably to this day, the biggest shock result in World Cup history.

England looked to be in control, but just before the interval the United States made an isolated attack on the England goal and in a goalmouth tangle Larry Gaejjens put the Americans in front.

England camped out in the United States half of the pitch for the rest of the match, but still they couldn't score.

When the result was flashed around the world, nobody would believe it, it was all a mistake.

Uncle Sam couldn't beat the English, no, never - no chance.

The celebrations back in America confirmed the result and when England then lost to Spain, it was time to sneak back home to England.

What shame.

Brazil and Uruguay cruised into the final stages with Brazil only needing a draw to win the trophy.

The Maracana Stadium was bulging to the rafters.

Almost 200,000 packed the stadium.

The cup was staying in Brazil surely.

Well, it looked that way when Friaca scored just after half-time and the Rio carnival started.

One nil up, only requiring a draw, it was all over.

It wasn't.

Uruguay hit back with a goal from Schiaffind and the party just started to go a little more quiet, though still at fever pitch.

A minor hiccup!

Then disaster for Brazil.

Ghiaggio took the Brazilian defence on with a great run and majestic finish, the net behind Barbosa bulged and the trophy went to Uruguay.

The drums stopped, so did the dancing and the street parties were cancelled.

In Uruguay the celebrations for them went on for weeks, the shambled had been turned into a magnificent national triumph.

They milked it of course. . . and why not.

Next week - 1954 in Switzerland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.