USA

1-0

England

Gaetjens

FIFA World Cup Finals
Mineiro Stadium, Belo Horizonte
29 June 1950

England's first-ever match against the USA, at the 1950 World Cup in  Brazil, proved to be one of the most infamous in their history as a solitary first-half strike from Joe Gaetjens decided the game.

The match saw a clearly superior England team failing to find any sort of fortune in the final third and suffering a humiliating defeat when the US took the one opportunity that fell their way.

In a first half-hour completely dominated by England, American 'keeper Frank Borghi made several fine saves, though he was often rather lucky as the England forwards saw their efforts sail narrowly high or wide or hit either the post or crossbar.

With eight minutes to go until half-time, a throw-in by Scotsman Ted McIlvenny, soon to sign for Manchester United, found Bahr and he hit a 25-yard shot, more in hope than expectation, which deflected off the head of Joe Gaetjens and looped over Bert Williams for a sensational goal.

England reacted by charging forward and though Jimmy Mullen, Tom Finney, Wilf Mannion and Stan Mortensen all had chances to bring Walter Winterbottom's side level, they just could not find a way past Borghi in the American goal.

The truth was that England were spurning simple chances and it seemed only a matter of time before an English player would end the charmed life that the American goal was leading.

The second half was just as one-sided, with the woodwork being struck a number of times before Mortensen seemed to score a powerful downward header. However the referee adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line and England continued to be frustrated.

More chances went begging - Mortensen shot over, Roy Bentley was denied by a last-gasp challenge and Mannion fired over when perfectly positioned, unmarked in front of goal.

Time eventually ran out for England, who were left cursing their luck of two disallowed goals and at least six shots hitting the woodwork.

Team Details

USA: Borghi, Keough, Macca, McIlvenny, Colombo, Bahr, Wallace, Pariani, Gaetjens, J Souza, E Souza

England: Williams (Wolves); Ramsey (Tottenham), Ashton (Man Utd), Wright (Wolves), Hughes (Liverpool), Dickinson (Portsmouth), Finney (Preston NE), Mannion (Middlesbrough), Bentley (Chelsea), Mortensen (Blackpool), Mullen (Wolves)

Referee: G Dattilo (Italy)

Attendance: 10,151