Augusto da Costa

Augusto da Costa (22 October 1922 – 1 March 2004) was a former Brazilian football player. He has played for Brazil national team. He was regarded as one of Brazil's finest defenders. He was known as a strong defender, for marking opponents and was also renowned for blocking shots and tackling and his leadership.

Club career
Augusto began his career at São Cristóvão in 1936 and played for this team for 8 years. But Augusto achieved the greatest success with the Vasco da Gama club, for which the footballer played from 1944 to 1954, and for some time was the team captain. With Vasco, Augusto won 5 state championships, as well as several exhibition tournaments in South America, in total, Augusto played 297 matches with 22 goals for the club and he was considered to be one of the best players ever.

International career
Augusto played for the Brazilian national team from 1946 to 1950, having played 20 matches (14 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses) and scored 1 goal. He was a participant in two South American championships, in the second of which he won the league title, as well as the 1950 World Cup, in which the Brazilians lost in the decisive match to Uruguay, and Augusto, as team captain retired from the national team, he was consoled by Roque Máspoli. Augusto also played several matches for the Rio national team.

After football
After completing his playing career, Augusto tried himself as a coach, but unsuccessfully. Later, he worked in the special military police of Rio de Janeiro, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and commander of the special forces guard.

He died on March 1, 2004 at the age of 83 due to kidney failure.

Honours
Club
Vasco da Gama
South American Championship of Champions: 1948
Campeonato Carioca: 1945, 1947, 1949, 1950 and 1952
Rivadávia Corrêa Meyer Octagonal Tournament: 1953

International
Brazil
Copa Rio Branco: 1947, 1950
Copa Rio Branco Runner-up: 1946, 1948
South American Championship Runner-up: 1946
South American Championship: 1949
Taça Oswaldo Cruz: 1950
FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 1950

Category:1920 births
Category:2004 deaths
Category:Footballers from Rio de Janeiro