Every FIFA World Cup Ranked From Worst To Best

The 1962 World Cup was among the most brutal in the tournament’s history, with proceedings marred by several notable instances of violence involving players on the pitch.

The most infamous of these came when hosts Chile faced Italy in a game later dubbed “The Battle of Santiago”. A violent and thoroughly unpleasant affair, the match saw punches thrown and dangerous tackles flying in with two Italian players sent off in the first half and police intervention required on no fewer than four occasions.

While another game between Yugoslavia and Uruguay saw similar scenes, with two players sent off, arguably the most depressing moment came during Brazil’s group stage clash with Czechoslovakia, which saw star striker Pele targeted by the Czechs in a cynical fouling campaign that eventually saw him tear a thigh muscle, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.

Though Brazil eventually got their revenge, with Garrincha and Vava firing them to a final rematch with Czechoslovakia which they duly won 3-1, the tournament’s legacy of foul play has overshadowed the memory of the Seleção’s silky play that summer.