Taça das Nações

The Taça das Nações (Portuguese for "Nations' Cup") or "Little World Cup"[1] was a football tournament played in Brazil in 1964 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Brazilian Football Confederation. Three international teams were invited, Argentina, Portugal and England, for the competition which was played in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during late May and early June.[2]

Taça das Nações
Tournament details
Host countryBrazil
CityRio de Janeiro, São Paulo
Dates30 May 1964 (1964-05-30) – 7 June 1964 (1964-06-07)
Teams4 (from 2 confederations)
Venue(s)2 (in 2 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Argentina
Runners-up Brazil
Third place Portugal
Fourth place England
Tournament statistics
Matches played6
Goals scored19 (3.17 per match)
Attendance277,000 (46,167 per match)
Top scorer(s) Rinaldo (2)
Alfredo Rojas (2)
Pelé (2)
Gérson (2)

History
The Argentina team that won the competition

The tournament was intended to showcase the favourites for the upcoming 1966 FIFA World Cup hosted by England. The Brazilian squad –apart from Pelé– had notable players such as Gérson, Jairzinho and goalkeeper Gilmar. Argentina, coached by José María Minella, included some experienced players such as Amadeo Carrizo, José Varacka, José Ramos Delgado, Alfredo Rojas and Antonio Rattín and young footballers such as Alberto Rendo and Roberto Telch. Silvio Marzolini did not participate due to being injured.[3] The English team included Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks while Portugal's most players were from Benfica, that had won the European Champions' Cup twice, with Eusébio as its most notable star.

In the match between England and Brazil, Pelé devastated the England defence with skill and hard running, leaving England forward Jimmy Greaves to remark, "Pelé is on another bloody planet." The England vs. Portugal game was also notable for being marred by controversy when Portuguese player José Torres attempted to punch the referee for disallowing an offside Portuguese goal.[4] The player was sent off, but was considered lucky not to face a lifetime ban from football. In another violent incident, a headbutt by Pelé broke the nose of the Argentine player José Agustín Messiano, who had to be replaced by Roberto Telch –who proceeded to score two goals in the game.[3]

The Argentine team eventually won the tournament after defeating Brazil 3–0 in their game in São Paulo,[5] with goals by Telch (2) and Ermindo Onega.[3] Argentine goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo stopped a penalty by Gerson.[6]

Reportedly the Brazilian FA had already engraved the Brazilian player's names on the watches intended as prizes for the winning team.

Results
Brazil 5–1 England
Rinaldo  35', 59'
Pelé  63'
Julinho  68'
Roberto Dias  88'		 Greaves  49'
Attendance: 77,000
Referee: Pierre Schwinte (France)
Argentina 2–0 Portugal
Alfredo Rojas  58'
Alberto Rendo  89'
Attendance: 40,000
Brazil 0–3 Argentina
Onega  38'
Telch  61', 89'
Attendance: 60,000
England 1–1 Portugal
Hunt  57' Fernando Peres  40'
Attendance: 25,000
Argentina 1–0 England
Alfredo Rojas  66'
Attendance: 15,000
Brazil 4–1 Portugal
Pelé  10'
Jairzinho  21'
Gérson  76', 80'		 Coluna  27'
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Pierre Schwinte (France)

Final table
Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
 Argentina 6330060+6
 Brazil 4320195+4
 Portugal 1301227−5
 England 1301227−5

The points system gave 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.

References
  1. Taylor, Matthew (2007). The association game: a history of British football. Pearson Education. p. 286. ISBN 0-582-50596-8.
  2. England in Minor Tournaments: Taça das Nações
  3. Pelé no la tiene on Diario Uno, 9 June 2011
  4. England matches 1960-65 on England Football Online website
  5. Nations' Cup by José Luis Pierrend on RSSSF.com
  6. "Salimos a enfriar el partido... y además lo ganamos" by Osvaldo Ardizzone on El Gráfico
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