# Taça das Nações

The Taça das Nações (Portuguese for "Nations' Cup") or "Little World Cup" was a football tournament played in Brazil in 1964 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Brazilian Football Confederation. Three international teams were invited, Argentina, Portugal and England, for the competition which was played in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during late May and early June.

## History

The tournament was intended to showcase the favourites for the upcoming 1966 FIFA World Cup hosted by England. The Brazilian squad – apart from Pelé – had notable players such as Gérson, Jairzinho and goalkeeper Gilmar. Argentina, coached by José María Minella, included some experienced players such as Amadeo Carrizo, José Varacka, José Ramos Delgado, Alfredo Rojas and Antonio Rattín and young footballers such as Alberto Rendo and Roberto Telch. Silvio Marzolini did not participate due to being injured. The English team included Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks while most of Portugal's players were from Benfica, that had won the European Champions' Cup twice, with Eusébio as its most notable star.
In the match between England and Brazil, Pelé devastated the England defence with skill and hard running, leaving England forward Jimmy Greaves to remark, "Pelé is on another bloody planet." The England vs. Portugal game was also notable for being marred by controversy when Portuguese player José Torres attempted to punch the referee for disallowing an offside Portuguese goal. The player was sent off, but was considered lucky not to face a lifetime ban from football. In another violent incident, a headbutt by Pelé broke the nose of the Argentine player José Agustín Messiano, who had to be replaced by Roberto Telch –who proceeded to score two goals in the game.
The Argentine team eventually won the tournament after defeating Brazil 3–0 in their game in São Paulo, with goals by Telch (2) and Ermindo Onega. Argentine goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo stopped a penalty by Gerson.
Reportedly the Brazilian FA had already engraved the Brazilian player's names on the watches intended as prizes for the winning team.

## Results

Team details :
Brazil
Argentina
GK Gilmar
DF Carlos Alberto
DF Brito
DF Joel Camargo
MF Rildo
MF Roberto Dias
FW Gérson
FW Julinho
FW Vavá
FW10Pelé
FW Rinaldo
Manager:
Vicente Feola
GK Amadeo Carrizo
DF4Carmelo Simeone
DF José Ramos Delgado
DF José Varacka
DF Abel Vieitez
MF Alberto Rendo
MF Antonio Rattín
MF11José Mesiano  a'
MF Ermindo Onega
FW Pedro Prospitti
FW10Alfredo Rojas
Substitutes:
MF Roberto Telch a'
Manager:
José María Minella :
Team details :
Argentina
England
GK Amadeo Carrizo
DF José Ramos Delgado
DF Miguel Angel Vidal
DF Carmelo Simeone
MF Abel Vieitez
MF Antonio Rattín
FW Ermindo Onega
FW Alberto Rendo
FW Pedro Prospitti a'
FW Alfredo Rojas
FW Roberto Telch
Substitutes:
FW Mario Chaldú a'
Manager:
José María Minella
GK Gordon Banks
DF Bobby Thompson
DF Gordon Milne
DF Ray Wilson
MF Maurice Norman
MF Bobby Moore
FW Peter Thompson
FW George Eastham
FW Bobby Charlton
FW Johnny Byrne
FW Jimmy Greaves
Manager:
Alfred Ramsey :

## Final table

| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| Argentina | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
| Brazil | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 |
| Portugal | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 |
| England | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 |
The points system gave 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
* Taça das Nações
* Argentina First title

## Statistics
### Goalscorers

There were 19 goals scored in 6 matches, for an average of 3.17 goals per match.
2 goals
* Alfredo Rojas
* Roberto Telch
* Rinaldo
* Pelé
* Gérson
1 goal
* Alberto Rendo
* Ermindo Onega
* Júlio Botelho
* Roberto Dias
* Jairzinho
* Jimmy Greaves
* Roger Hunt
* Fernando Peres
* Mário Coluna