More successful have historic edge over best-ever

And Uruguay also won the two Olympic Games — 1924 and 1928 before the World Cup was inaugurated.

However, in the later part of the century, Brazil have been in a league of their own.

Brazil have won three more World Cups since their first triumph in 1958 and, despite their defeat in the 1998 final by France, they are still ranked the world’s best team by Fifa.

Uruguay, meanwhile, have not even qualified for the last two WorldCups and are ranked only 74 by Fifa behind teams such as Trinidad and Tobago, Mali, Gabon and Northern Ireland.

In one respect, however, Uruguay have the whip hand. They have 14 Copa America titles — a joint record held with Argentina — while Brazil have only five.

There have been many meetings between the two teams but two — both in the World Cup — are outstanding:

Friaca gave Brazil the lead after 47 minutes, finally settling the nerves of the crowd.

But that brought Uruguay out of their shells and halfway through the second period, Juan Schiaffino levelled the match before his team-mate Alcide Ghiggia scored what would prove to be the winner with 10 minutes remaining. Itwas Uruguay’s second World Cup — they won the inaugural event on home soil in 1930.

Shortly before the interval, Brazil mid-fielder Clodoaldo levelled the match.After the interval, Brazil took control with further goals from Jairzinho and Roberto Rivelino.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the match was when Pele dummied Uruguay’s goalkeeper Ladislav Mazurkiewicz only to miss his shot with the open goal at his mercy. Brazil went on to destroy Italy 4-1 in the final.