Uruguay’s football legend Ghiggia passes away

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MONTEVIDEO: Legendary Uruguayan forward Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia on Thursday died at the age of 88 due to heart attack.

He had scored the winning goal against Brazil in the World Cup in 1950 to crown Uruguay World Champions .

Ghiggia scored the deciding goal 10 minutes before the end of the match in Rio’s newly built Maracana stadium.

The match, known as the “Maracanazo” – is considered one of Brazil’s biggest footballing defeats.

The last surviving Uruguayan player from the match, Ghiggia died on its 65th anniversary.

“It was beautiful what happened,” Ghiggia said. “It filled me with pride and was unforgettable. The biggest moment of my life was the Maracana.”

When he turned 80 he was honoured by the Uruguayan congress.