Name given in Brazil to the national sides defeat at the hands of Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final. Brazil was the host country for a competition which marked the opening of the Maracana Stadium. The home side reached the final and was expected to go on to win the trophy almost as a matter of course, as Brazil had a considerably stronger team than Uruguay, at least on paper. A real Carioca carnival had been prepared in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate what would be Brazils third World Cup victory, marking the inauguration of the biggest stadium in the world. Until the 65th minute everything was going to plan, as Brazil was winning 1-0, but Uruguay dashed all the local fans hopes, scoring two goals to win the match and the cup. Since then, a spectacular, unexpected fiasco in a football match has been known in Brazil as a Maracanazo.

Spanish. The five fingers of one hand, symbolising five goals scored against a rival team and used by sports reporters and fans to remember a match.

Spanish. This is an action carried out at speed, when the player is running with the ball. The action consists of placing the foot down just by the ball and suddenly turning body and foot 180 degrees to kick the ball backwards using the outside of the foot. The effect achieved is similar to a back-heel, but the sudden twisting of the body over the leg risks injury to ankle and knee.

Tactical defensive system. There are two basic variants: man-to-man marking, when each player is assigned a member of the opposing team which he must follow all over the field of play throughout the match, and zonal marking, where players are assigned a particular zone and must defend it against any opposing players who attempt to invade it.

Meeting of two teams constituted according to the rules. When points of a league or any type of championship, professional or amateur, are at stake, it is mandatory to play on a pitch of regulation dimensions, goals, approved referee, etc. Beyond this, any informal game with a ball and two goals and that is played with the feet only (except the goalkeepers) can be called this.

Total amount paid by fans to watch a match live, before expenses or deductions are accounted for. The importance of match receipts has decreased considerably due to burgeoning television broadcasting rights.

One of two pads of cartilage between the femur and tibia in a knee joint. A veritable nightmare for footballers, as the knee is designed by nature to make only one bending movement, but the sport of football demands that players make twists and turns which can strain the joint, causing injury to the cartilage. Along with ankle injuries, these are the most common in the game, and are painful and difficult to recover from.

Action of the crowd, totally harmless and pacific, that occurs around the ground to form part of the spectacle. Usually urged on by the electronic scoreboards in the stadium and consisting of a spectator raising his arms and leaning to one side against his neighbour who in turn raises his arms and leans against his and so on, thus forming a wave that runs round the ground.

Zone on either side of the halfway line, its size varying according to the conception of the game of the two team coaches. The idea that dominating the midfield is essential from the strategic point of view, and overuse of the offside trap (Menottis famous idea of reducing space) causes a congestion of players in this area. According to many commentators, the centre of gravity should be in the two penalty areas, not in the midfield, a change in conceptions which would make the game much more spectacular.