Uruguay is, by population, the smallest country to win the FIFA World Cup. In 1930, when they beat Argentina 4-2 in the final, just 1.7 million people were living in the country. When they beat Brazil 2-1 in 1950, their population was 2.2 million. Although Uruguay’s population is now around 3.4 million, it’s still smaller than any other winning nation.
Uruguay again won the World Cup in 1950, beating hosts Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The decisive match was at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil. Uruguay came from behind to beat the host nation in a match which would become known as the Maracanazo. Many Brazilians had to be treated for shock after the event, such was the surprise of Uruguay’s victory.
After their fourth-place finish in the 1954 World Cup, the team had mixed performances and after the fourth-place finish in 1970, their dominance, quality and performance dropped. They were no longer a world football power and failed to qualify for the World Cup on five occasions in the last nine competitions. They reached an all-time low and at one time ranked 76th in the FIFA World Rankings.
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