BRAZILIAN VIRTUOSES HAD TROUBLE AGAINST POLAND
— Georges Beaucourt | 05/06/1938 —

We all knew that Brazil had entered the World Cup with the firm intention of winning against the Europeans, who on several occasions saw off the Uruguayans, the Brazilians' rivals in Latin America. Despite the scoreline, which may not have been fatal for them, at least in the minds of those who did not witness the match, we can say that rarely have eleven players shown such fierce energy as the hard-fought victors over Poland.

But let's be clear: the Brazilians of 1938 have not made us forget the Uruguayans of 1924, especially, and even 1928. Like those who astonished the sporting world at the Paris Games, the Brazilians are masters in the art of catching the ball and working it with grace, elegance and subtlety. They are true virtuosos, acrobats, and I would especially recommend the phenomenon known as Leônidas, who plays the starring role of centre-forward with incomparable brilliance. This small, black-skinned athlete (nicknamed the black diamond in Brazil) has delighted the people of Strasbourg, at the same time as tormenting the Polish defence. Equal, then, to the Uruguayans, because although Leônidas' team-mates are about as skilful as he is, the Brazilians still lack the masculine authority of the Scarone, Petrone, Nazazzi and Andrade. But this overall impression did not take hold in our minds until the second half. For in the first forty-five minutes of this memorable match, they had aroused a truly delirious enthusiasm.

Let's take a look at the eloquent list of goals scored in chronological order, in the form of a table:

18th minute: first goal by Leônidas (offside, in our opinion) from a pass by Hércules.

22nd minute: Poland's first goal, from a justified penalty (Domingos made an illegal charge on Wilimowski), converted by centre-forward Scherfke.

25th minute: Brazil's second goal, scored by Romeo.

44th minute: Brazil's third goal, scored by Perácio from Lopes' cross.

At half-time: 3-1 to Brazil.

8th minute: from the restart second Polish goal by Wilimowski.

14th minute: third Polish goal by Wilimowski.

25th minute: fourth goal for Brazil, from a long shot by Perácio.

44th minute: Wilimowski equalises.

End of normal time: 4 goals all.

3rd minute of the first half of extra time: fifth goal for Brazil, by Leônidas, from a free kick taken by Lopes.

10th minute of the second half of extra time: sixth goal by Leônidas.

14th minute: fifth goal, by Wilimowski.

An unexpected score, therefore, if ever there was one.

The Brazilians had started the match at an incredible pace. The Poles, stunned, overwhelmed by the extreme mobility of their elusive opponents, confused by the body feints and footwork of the Brazilians, had never been able to make the slightest attempt to react or organise themselves. It should be noted that the rain had not yet appeared at that time. On dry ground, the South Americans had been the undisputed masters.

Then, a sudden change, an absolutely astonishing reversal of the situation. The masters became easy prey. Put in difficulty by the raging elements, or perhaps incapable of sustaining the incredible pace at the start, the Brazilians were almost reduced to expedients.

As a result, their prestige was terribly diminished. Soon, everything was called into question.

And this is where the other qualities of the winners appeared: the unshakeable will to win, the fierce energy that the Latins often know how to display, a strange dynamism which ultimately commanded admiration.

The Brazilians therefore triumphed over extremely brave opponents and in unfavorable circumstances.

They won a difficult game, but they showed the chink in their armor.

We say above that they sometimes lacked authority. This is already true in the offensive area. Their game is not direct. The passes are superiorly executed towards a man always skilfully demarcated, but these passes are too often lateral.

The Poles finished the match exhausted. They often missed favorable opportunities. Above all, they lacked this fury, this ardor which their conquerors possess. Only one high-class man in this team: Wilimowski.