Santiago, June 17th - Estadio Nacional
3 (1) BRAZIL
Amarildo 17
Zito 68
Vava 77
Gilmar, D.Santos, Mauro, Zozimo, N.Santos, Zito, Garrincha, Didi, Vava, Amarildo, Zagalo.

1 (1) CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Masopust 15
Schrojf, Tichy, Novak, Pluskal, Popluhar, Masopust, Pospichal, Scherer, Kvasnak, Kadraba, Jelinek.

Referee: Nikolai Latychev (Soviet Union)
Attendance: 68.679
 

     After an anxious 24-hour wait, FIFA ruled that Garrincha could play in the World Cup final. And Brazil could count themselves lucky, for Garrincha was one of six players dismissed during the tournament. The others all received a one-match ban, yet "The Little Bird" was let off with a reprimand. The Czechs, however, were ready for his presence, and kept him quiet throughout the game.

     Despite the all night long celebrations in Santiago, following Chile's capture of the third place, nearly 70.000 people turned up for the big final. And what a surprise they received when Masopust put Czechoslovakia into a 15 minute lead after racing on to a long pass from Scherer. But those who were familiar with their World Cup history knew that four of the six previous World Cup winners had fallen behind. And when Czechoslovakia were last in the final, against Italy in 1934, they opened the scoring, yet still lost. History was about to repeat itself.

     It took Brazil only two minutes to wipe out Masopust's goal, when Amarildo beat the outstanding Schrojf with a shot from an acute angle. The normally reliable keeper was to blame. He was expecting a cross and was slow to react to Amarildo's shot.

     Czechoslovakia who only went to Chile after beating Scotland in a play-off in the qualifiers, were not overawed and were a good match for the favourites. However, they allowed Brazil to take the lead for the first time in the 68th minute, when Zito started and finished a move, heading home an Amarildo centre. And 13 minutes from time the Czechs were completely demoralized when their normally dependable goalkeeper fumbled a lob into the penalty area from Djalma Santos. Vava was on the spot to put the ball into the net. Brazil ran out winners and Mauro went up to collect the Jules Rimet Trophy as Brazil joined Uruguay and Italy as two-times winners.