The story goes that Brazilian league coaches created the 4-2-4 formation to counter Ademir's deadly goalscoring skills.
Considered one of Brazil's greatest ever strikers, Ademir scored nine goals as the host nation blazed its way through the 1950 finals, hitting four in a 7-1 win over third-placed Sweden and two in a 6-1 demolition of Spain in the final group phase.
But in the greatest upset in World Cup history, Brazil -- needing only a draw in front of an expectant 200,000 in the Maracana -- lost 2-1 to Uruguay. Despite setting up the opening goal for Friaca, Ademir failed to add to his impressive tally for the tournament. He later claimed the team had lost because it had been forced to go to Mass at 7 a.m. on the day of the final.
Ademir finished as top scorer but Brazil would have to wait eight years to see another generation finally win the Jules Rimet Trophy.
