The 1962 tournament was won by the defending world champions Brazil, who claimed their second World Cup title by defeating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final in the Chilean capital of Santiago, becoming the second team, after Italy in 1938, to successfully defend the world title. Host nation Chile defeated Yugoslavia 1–0 in the Third Place match to finish third.
The tournament was marred by a toxic, poisonous atmosphere and violence between players on the pitch; it also included the infamous first-round match between Chile and Italy (2–0), which became known as the Battle of Santiago, one of a number of other violent matches played throughout the tournament.
It was the first World Cup that used goal average as a means of separating teams with the same amount of points.
The average goals per match dropped below 3 for the first time ever in World Cup history, to just 2.78. The average has not been above 3 since.
1962 World Cup Finals, Santiago, Chile, Semi-Final, 13th June 1962, Brazil 4 v Chile 2, Brazil forward Amarildo watches as the ball enters the Chile net for one of their four goals. Photo: FIFA
In the battle of Santiago the 66,000 fans at Chile’s national stadium witnessed spitting, two-footed challenges, punches, scuffles and even police intervention.
Italy got much of the blame but Chile wasn’t immune — Maschio’s nose, after all, was broken following a punch from Leonel Sanchez.
Amazingly, Sanchez, the son of a professional boxer, stayed on the field — referee Ken Aston and his assistant missed the punch.
But Italy defender Mario David was looking for revenge after he had been felled by a Sanchez left hook. Soon after, he high-kicked at Sanchez’s throat and was sent off, joining teammate Georgio Ferrini, who had earlier been ejected for lashing out at a Chile player.
Garrincha runs to congratulate team-mate Amarildo after his goal for Brazil in their 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia in the Final of the 1962 FIFA World Cup. Photo: FIFA
Italy, down to nine men, held on until two late goals saw Chile come out a 2-0 winner. Chile eventually came third in the tournament while Italy went home in disgrace.
Pele was injured in the second group match against Czechoslovakia and missed the rest of the tournament.
In the final, Brazil again found themselves a goal behind in the World Cup final, as a long ball from Adolf Scherer was latched onto by Josef Masopust: 1–0 Czechoslovakia after 15 minutes.
English referee Ken Aston tries to bring order after fighting broke out between Italian and Chilean players during their group match dubbed as 'The Battle of Santiago', on the 2nd June, 1962 where Chile beat Italy 2-0. Photo: FIFA
As in the previous final in 1958, Brazil soon hit back, equalising two minutes later through Amarildo after an error by Czechoslovak goalkeeper Schroijf.
The Brazilians scored goals from Zito and Vavá midway through the second half, and the Czechoslovaks could not get back into the game.
The match ended 3–1 to Brazil, a successful defence of the title for only the second time in the history of the competition in spite of the absence of one of their star players of 1958, Pelé, who was replaced by Amarildo.