Uruguay, a world football giant and underdog

Since the first edition of the football World Cup in 1930, only eight countries have managed to take home the sport’s most important international trophy. Only three of these distinguished champions do not come from Europe: Brazil, Argentina, and, last but not least, little Uruguay.

Almost one century after the tournament’s first ball was kicked, analysts often see Brazil and Argentina as favorites to win whenever they enter the pitch, but Uruguay — the small nation wedged between its larger neighbors — is also a footballing giant.

Its national team has amassed a history of success while being a constant dark horse, stacking victories despite its tiny population of just 3.5 million. Alongside neighbors Argentina and current holders France, Uruguay owns two World Cup titles — only Brazil, Germany, and Italy have more.

In addition to winning the very first World Cup in 1930, the “paisito” is also responsible for the most famous upset in football history: the 1950 Maracanazo, when its national team overcame hosts and heavy favorites Brazil in that year’s deciding match, postponing their neighbors’ dream of a first title.

That game holds the record for the highest number of spectators to this day. Officially, 173,850 people witnessed it, although some say that over 200,000 fans attended Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium to see Uruguay upset the odds.

For Brazil, the defeat was seen as a national...