England v United States (1950)

On June 29, 1950, at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, the American football team defeated the English team 1–0 in group play. The match was held in Belo Horizonte at Estádio Independência.

Related Topics:
June 29 - 1950 - 1950 World Cup - Brazil - American - English - Belo Horizonte - Estádio Independência

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At the time, the English were considered the "Kings of Football", with a post-war record of 23 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws. Conversely, the Americans had lost their last seven international matches (including the 1934 World Cup and 1948 Summer Olympics) by the combined score of 45–2. The odds were 3–1 the English would win the Cup, and 500–1 for the U.S.

Related Topics:
1934 World Cup - 1948 Summer Olympics

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England manager Walter Winterbottom, apparently certain of victory, decided to rest Stanley Matthews, considered the best player in the world at the time, saving him for their next match against Spain.

Related Topics:
Walter Winterbottom - Stanley Matthews - Spain

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England won the toss and elected to kick off. Within ninety seconds, Stanley Mortensen sent a cross from the left wing to Roy Bentley, who let off a shot that was barely pushed aside by U.S. goalkeeper Frank Borghi. By the twelfth minute, England had six clear shots on goal but could not convert, with two shots hitting the post, one just going over the top, and another brilliantly saved by Borghi.

Related Topics:
Stanley Mortensen - Roy Bentley - Goalkeeper - Frank Borghi

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The U.S. struggled to move to the offense, and finally managed a shot on goal in the twenty-fifth minute, which was blocked by Bert Williams. The English counterattacked with three successive clear shots at the goal in minutes 30, 31, and 32, but failed to score. Mortensen twice went over the crossbar, and Tom Finney's header to the top corner was tipped away by Borghi.

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In the thirty-seventh minute, Walter Bahr launched a shot from twenty-five yards out, but as Williams prepared to make the save, Joe Gaetjens dove headlong and grazed the ball enough to put it past the reach of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The crowd exploded as the U.S. improbably led 1–0. As the half drew to a close, Finney had a chance to tie the score, but the whistle blew.

Related Topics:
Walter Bahr - Joe Gaetjens

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With renewed confidence, the U.S. played tougher as the second half opened, creating another scoring opportunity in the ninth minute. But England began threatening again, and it was fifteen minutes before the Americans were able to get another shot. With eight minutes left, Charley Columbo brought down Mortensen with an illegal tackle just outside the penalty area. On the resulting free kick, James Mullen headed the ball for what he thought was a goal, failing to notice that Borghi had tipped it away at the last second, denying the English on their chance to tie the game.

Related Topics:
Charley Columbo - Free kick - James Mullen

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England had no more chances on goal and the game ended in victory for the U.S. team. England then lost their next match and failed to qualify for the knockout stage. The U.S. team was able to score two goals against Chile, but still lost that match to end their World Cup run.

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