How much does the stadium in rio fit. Maracana is empty. How not to use football stadiums. Recent stadium history and records

Football fans know that the UK is the birthplace of the popular game. But the main achievements in its popularization and development belong to sunny Brazil. This mobile game, adored by all Brazilians, is played here as soon as they have learned to walk. Any inexperienced tourist who has visited the stadiums of Rio de Janeiro and football matches of famous clubs will fall in love with football for life.

"Maracana"- the largest football stadium in Brazil. The official name of the stadium is "Mario Filho", until recently it was the largest stadium in the world. It serves as the home arena of the Brazilian national team, Flamengo and Fluminense clubs. And the two grand clubs of the state - Vasco da Gama and Botafogo, having their own forty thousand stadiums, prefer to hold Superclasico with other teams at the Maracan. Every year, the final games in the Carioca League championship are held here.

The stadium got its name from the small river Marakana, which flows nearby. In 1948, before the 1950 World Cup, the construction of the Maracana began. Construction work was finally completed only by 1965. Initially, it was planned to replace the old sports facility of the Vasco da Gama football club, but the Maracana eventually became the national stadium of Brazil.

"Mario Filho" - such an official name was given to him in honor of the journalist, with the help of whom the project was brought to life. In the summer of 1950, the stadium was opened with a match between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, when the famous Didi scored the first goal.

During the fourth World Cup, significant international games were held at the Maracana, the highest tension in the decisive match was the defeat of the hosts from longtime rivals - the Uruguayans. 199,850 fans - a record number of spectators attended the match. In terms of attendance, the football stadium set several records that have not been broken to this day.

Up to 180 thousand fans gathered at the Marakana at international meetings. In the 1980s, the attendance of matches at national championships was up to 130,000 spectators. In order to play the home games of the Intercontinental Cup at the Maracana, Santos specially came here in 1962 and 1963. In the winter of 2000, the world's top clubs competed in the final of the Club World Cup, the first edition of the new tournament established by FIFA.

The stadium is built in the shape of an oval. The stands are separated from the field by a moat, the roof peak is fixed with consoles. Near the main arena is the Maracanasinho indoor gym, which hosts tennis matches, boxing competitions and even various concerts and festivals.

Once this football arena was the largest in the world and could accommodate two hundred thousand spectators. But FIFA set requirements for only numbered seats for spectators, so the stadium abolished the “geral” - benches and standing places outside the goal, where the poorest fans settled. Geral is the most democratic place on the Maracana and over time has become part of the Brazilian football team. The symbolic cost of a ticket of one dollar made it possible for almost every fan to see the match of their favorite team.

After the reconstruction, the sports facility lost the status of the largest stadium in South America. For 2014, the capacity is only 78838 spectators. At the request of FIFA in 2014 at the World Cup, the number of seats was reduced to 73,531. The new plastic roof buried almost all seats for spectators from the sun and rain.

In 2016, Maracan will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as football matches of the Olympics tournament.

Maria Lenk Water Park located in the City Sports Park. Built in 2004, the stadium hosted the 2007 Pan American Games (swimming and diving competitions). The complex was named in honor of the first Latin American woman to participate in the Olympic Games.

The water park was built in accordance with FINA requirements: a diving pool and one fifty-meter pool. The area is 42 thousand square meters. m, with a capacity of up to eight thousand spectators.

By decision of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, water sportsmen have been and are still training here to prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016.

In 2016, water polo and diving competitions will be held here as part of the Summer Olympic Games.

Sports complex "Maracanazinho"(Portuguese for "Little Maracana") has the official name "Sports Complex Gilberto Cardoso". This sports indoor arena can accommodate up to twelve thousand spectators. The opening took place in 1954. "Maracanasinho" hosted world tournaments in basketball, volleyball, judo, mini-football, competitions in 2007 Pan American Games. The complex will host the 2016 Summer Olympics volleyball tournament. "Maracanasinho" served as the main venue for international song festivals (from 1966 to 1972) and Miss Brazil contests.

The sports complex was named after the former president of the Flamengo club, Gilberto Cardoso. At the time of opening, the audience capacity was 13,613 seats. A massive fire in 1970 destroyed the roof, causing the Miss Brazil pageant to be relocated. Maracanasinho resumed operations after restoration work the following year. On the eve of the 2007 Pan American Games, a new reconstruction was carried out.

The complex, which opened in 2007, already has a smaller number of seats - 11,800. The renovated stadium is equipped with a four-sided electronic scoreboard made in China and the latest air conditioning system.

In 2009, the Walk of Fame was opened at the Maracanasinho, where the names of famous athletes who have ever performed in this arena are immortalized. The first members of the Walk of Fame were the famous futsal player Falcao, coach Bernardo Rezende and twelve players from the Brazilian men's volleyball team. Also on the Walk of Fame were two-time world champions in basketball Amauri Pasos and Vlamir Markes, Olympic champion volleyball player Fabi Oliveira. Further on the Alley of Fame, tennis player Gustavo Kuerten, judoists Ketlane Quadrus, Juan Derli, Rugerio Sampaio received their places.

In 2008, the final games of the sixth futsal world championship were held in the sports complex, the home team won. In 2013, the World Judo Championship was held here.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the complex was known as a venue for major international festivals and concerts. Over the years, such famous Brazilian performers as Tom Jobin, Gilberto Gil, Chic Buarki, Maria Betania, Geraldo Vandre, Caetan Veloso have performed at the Maracanazinho Arena. Here in 1975 the ice show Holiday on Ice was organized.

Rio Olympic Arena is a multi-purpose sports and concert complex and is located in the Rio Olympic Park. The construction of the complex continued from February 2006 to June 2007.

The building is the largest indoor arena in Rio de Janeiro with a total area of ​​up to 65 thousand square meters. The complex consists of multi-purpose rooms used for both training and corporate events. Around the main arena there are places (two hundred) for distinguished guests and the press, more than fifty boxes for 1118 seats, permanent (12988) and removable (1984) seats. For concert events, the number of spectator seats can be increased to 18,000. The main arena is equipped with an electronic scoreboard. The building has eight elevators and four wheelchair ramps. Near the complex - parking for 1300 parking spaces.

The complex from 2008 to 2016 (the start of the Olympic events) is rented by the HSBC banking concern and is called the HSBC Arena.

Immediately after opening in 2007, the Rio Olympic Arena hosted the Pan American Games gymnastics and basketball competitions. The 2007 World Judo Championship and the 2011 World Military Games were also organized here. The Olympic Arena of Rio in 2016 will host the gymnastic tournaments during the Summer Olympic Games and the basketball competitions of the Paralympic Games.

The HSBC Arena hosted the matches of the national basketball championship, in which the multiple champions of the country participated - the Flamengo team and the Ultimate Fighting Championship fights.

HSBC Arena is a venue for concerts by pop stars and rock musicians. Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Cat Power, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, Diana Ross, Robert Plant, Queen, Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., Green Day, Kiss and other performers performed here, Miss Rio de Janeiro beauty pageants were held .

Barra Olympic Velodrome built for the 2007 Pan American Games, located near the Nelson Piquet International Circuit, next to the Maria Lenk Water Park and the Rio Olympic Arena.

The center can accommodate 6400 spectators. It is planned track Olympic cycling races in singles and doubles among women and men, Paralympic tandem track races.

Exhibition Complex Riocentro located in the Barra di Tijuca region. It is the largest exhibition center in South America and the largest in the world. During the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Riocentro, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton competitions are planned.

Vasco da Gama Stadium, better known as San Januario belongs to Vasco da Gama, named after the street and club of the same name. Opened in April 1927. The facade of the stadium is considered the artistic and national historical heritage of Brazil. It is located in the Vasco da Gama area, on a hill next to the National Observatory of Brazil. Due to its location, the stadium has been given the nickname "Estadio da Colina" - Stadium Hill. And the team was nicknamed "Big Hills". In this arena, the coaching area and benches are located outside the goal.

Initially, the stadium could accommodate more than 15,000 spectators. In the stadium's first match, the Vasco da Gama team beat the Santos team.

São Januario was Brazil's largest stadium until Pacaemba opened in São Paulo. In Rio de Janeiro, he lost the palm in 1950, when the Maracana was built for the World Cup. After 88 years, it remains a popular large private stadium in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Since the seventeenth President of Brazil, Getulio Vargas, spoke to the people very often in this arena, it has an important historical significance for the country. From the rostrum of San Januario, the first working law was announced. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, the stadium will host rugby games.

Engenyan Stadium has the official name of the Olympic Stadium Joao Havelange, also known as Nilton Santos Stadium. It is located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro - Engenho de Dentra and therefore received such a name. The arena hosts athletics and football competitions.

The property of the city of Rio de Janeiro, but the Botafogo club rents Engenyan until 2027. Botafogo pays two million dollars in rent per year.

The City of Rio in 2015 allowed the Botafogo club to use the name "Nilton Santos Stadium" for their own purposes (in memory of the legendary Botafogo defender, the Brazilian national team Nilton Santos, who died in 2013). The club's initiative to officially rename the stadium was rejected.

In 2016, during the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the stadium will host athletics competitions.

When the Maracana was closed for renovation, since 2011 Engenyan has been used as the home arena of Fluminense and Flamengo.

Sports tours to Brazil - this does not mean visiting only stadiums and related sporting events. Rio de Janeiro has many attractions popular with tourists: the famous statue of Christ the Savior crowning the mountain peak of Corcovado, Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarona Stairs, Lage Park, Sambadrome and much more.

Laranjeiras Stadium is a small arena located near the Guanabara Palace. Since it is located in the historical district of Orange, its name depended on this. This area was considered one of the most prestigious and was founded in the 17th century, and in 1905 a stadium was built.

The last game was played on it in 2000.

The appearance of the arena is unremarkable, as it was built in the old classical style. For football fans, it is recommended to visit the museum, which perfectly illuminates the entire history of football matches. Previously, it was the favorite stadium of the Fluminense football club. However, unfortunately, at the moment the stadium is not going through the best of times and is not particularly clean.

Coordinates: -22.93370800,-43.18518000

Maracana Stadium

Maracana is the largest stadium on the South American continent, the main temple of Brazil's second religion - football. The exact capacity of the stadium was unknown until the 80s, when, at the request of FIFA, all seats were reconstructed and numbered. In the 60s, most major matches gathered up to 200 thousand spectators, which is an absolute record. This was made possible by the fact that standing places were allowed. After the reconstruction, there were none left, and today Maracana is ready to accommodate up to 87,000 football fans

Maracana is saturated with the history of football far and wide. The famous match between Brazil and Uruguay in the final of the 1950 World Cup took place here. All major matches of Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense took place here. Here the king of football, Pele, scored his best goals.

Since 1998 the stadium has been a historical monument.

Coordinates: -22.91262600,-43.22923400

Maracana Stadium

Maracanã Stadium is the largest indoor stadium in Rio de Janeiro. This place usually hosts major football matches between local teams. The Maracana Stadium was opened in the last century - in 1950. During its construction, the best Mexican builders were involved, seven architects worked on the building. The stadium got its name in honor of the Mexican journalist who advocated its construction.

The Maracana Stadium can simultaneously accommodate more than seventy-eight thousand spectators. More than half a million people visit it every year, some of the fans come to the match from other cities and even countries. In 2007, the Pan American Games were organized at the Maracana Stadium. In addition to football matches, various concerts are held at the Maracana stadium. A few months ago, the stadium was rebuilt a little, making it more comfortable and modern for spectators and competitors.

Coordinates: -22.91341800,-43.23183000

Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium

The João Havelange Olympic Stadium is the largest sports venue in Brazil. The stadium hosts major football matches and athletics competitions. Joao Havelange Stadium can accommodate more than forty thousand people at the same time.

The Olympic Stadium was opened in the summer of 2007. A month later, the first football match was held on its site. The construction of the stadium cost the local treasury three hundred and eighty million dollars.

Currently, part of the Joao Havelange stadium is leased to the local football federation for twenty years.

During its existence, the Joao Havelange stadium was renovated several times. The largest renovation took place in 2009. By 2016, it is planned to increase its capacity to six hundred thousand people. In addition to sporting events, the Joao Havelange Stadium often hosts concerts of world celebrities. Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber and Roger Waters performed on its site.

Coordinates: -22.89276100,-43.29259200

Cayo Martins Stadium

Cayo Martins Stadium, opened in July 1941 in Niteroi, is a Brazilian stadium that has long been the site of Butafogu's victories in the Brazilian championships. The capacity of the stadium is 15 thousand people.

The first match at the stadium was played on July 20, 1941 by Vasco da Gama and Canto do Rio (3:1). On April 26, 1992, 13,160 people were present at the stadium for the match between the teams of Botafogo and Santos (score 2: 0).

After 2004, junior and youth teams train at this stadium. The stadium has a hotel for 20 people, as well as a medical center, a gym, a psychologist's office, locker rooms, bathrooms with hydromassage, swimming pools, a restaurant, a kitchen, and a laundry. The reconstruction of the stadium took place in 2003.

Coordinates: -22.90055600,-43.10583300

Sao Januario Stadium

Sao Januario Stadium is one of the oldest and most popular football arenas in Rio de Janeiro. The stadium is located northwest of the city center and is considered Rio's most famous sports attraction.

Sao Januario opened in April 1927 and has grown in popularity ever since. Initially

The stadium could accommodate 15,000 fans, but later, after reconstruction, this figure increased to 25,000. Until the forties of the twentieth century, Sao Januario was the largest stadium in the country.

Sao Januario is also an important historical monument. From its rostrum, the presidents of Brazil have repeatedly delivered speeches to their people. And at the 2016 Olympic Games, the stadium will become the venue for rugby competitions - this sport will be included in the Olympic program for the first time, and Sao Januario was chosen for this memorable debut.

Coordinates: -22.89073500,-43.22909300


Attractions Rio de Janeiro

All Brazilians just love football. For them, this is something like a second religion, which is worshiped by everyone without exception. And football has its so-called temple. This is the Maracanã stadium. It is currently the largest stadium in all of Brazil.

The construction of Maracan began in 1948. And in the 50th year, the second world championship after the war with the Germans was already held on it. Brazil was the only country that managed to adequately meet the guests and hold the games. The stadium is currently undergoing construction work, leaving it as the country's national stadium.

The Maracanã stadium can accommodate 200,000 people.

History of the Maracanã Stadium

Every resident of Brazil after the war dreamed that the championship would be held in their country. Therefore, on August 2, 1948, the construction of this structure began. At that time, the country did not have large funds, but gladly agreed to participate in the championship. By 1950, the construction was not completed, but despite this, the stadium officially opened its doors to the guests of the country. On this day, the teams "Rio de Janeiro" and "Sao Paulo" played. Having overcome all difficulties, the championship was held at the highest level. There were indeed many problems. The stadium was not completed, there were not enough latrines for everyone, and the press had to huddle among angry fans. Only 13 countries entered the championship, including the team of the Soviet Union. The rest failed to qualify. It is in this year that the so-called "Cold War" begins, and the union has to refuse to participate. The USSR was replaced by France, but the weakened state was unable to send a team to participate. The Brazilians were true fans of the game and tried to revive football, elevating it above others. They demanded that all championship games be played on Maracana. And they were heard.


Interest in football was overwhelming. More than 84 thousand people came to watch the game against the Mexicans, and this despite the fact that there was a terrible war just recently. But the momentum was picking up. The game with Sweden has already been attended by 140,000 people. In this fight, the Brazilians won with a score of 7:1. The game with the Spaniards also brought victory (6:1). And every time there were more and more fans. The final match was with the team of Uruguay. Fans have already celebrated the victory ahead of schedule, confident that the team will win again. And the Uruguayan footballers were not the strongest players. But they were underestimated. The final ended with the score 2:1 in favor of Uruguay. Fans were furious, some were even taken away with a heart attack. To protect the players, they had to be smuggled away during the turmoil, and the Brazilian team coach escaped, lost in the crowd. This is how the history of Brazil's largest stadium began.

New story

By 1965 the stadium was completely built. It is impossible not to say that a couple of visit records were made on it. During the game between Flamengo and Flumenense, more than 178 thousand people were present in the stands. It was on Maracana that Pele scored his 1,000th goal. In 2000, FIFA plans to organize the World Cup in Maracana. And again, the stands are packed, and the voices of the fans are heard throughout the city.

Probably, many will have a question: “What kind of stadium is this that can accommodate up to 200 thousand people?”. Maracana cannot be called a giant stadium. But then where does such accommodation come from? The thing is that there are “places” for the poor on it. For just one dollar, a fan could stand at the entrance to watch the game. In fact, one could often see rich people there. This was due to the fact that well-known experts were often met at these “places”.

A large number of visitors is not always a good sign. Crazy fans could trample on in a hurry, and arrange a grand fight. As a rule, conflicts occurred in "places" for the poor. Therefore, they were soon abolished. Now fans could only sit on numbered seats.

Maracana was reconstructed for the 2014 championship. Roofs were installed, seats were fenced. The stadium's capacity was reduced to 80,000.

On July 13, 2014, the legendary Maracana experienced a triumph: 80,000 people filled the stands, and another billion viewers were on TV screens. More than 400 million euros were spent on the reconstruction. The result - the final of the World Cup, the highest point in the existence of the stadium. In the summer of 2016, the holiday resumed. The arena hosted the football matches of the Olympics, and the opening and closing ceremonies gathered an even larger audience (the stands were expanded) than the matches of the World Cup. The spectacle was grandiose.

Now Maracana looks different.

Something went wrong? All. The problems began with a conflict between the state and private business. Since 2013, Maracana has been privately owned by the Brazilian giant Odebrecht. After the end of the World Cup, the Odebrecht concern continued to operate the arena in working mode, it played the home matches of Flamengo and Fluminense, held rock concerts (in particular, Foo Fighters) - everything is as it should be. Despite this, the stadium was unprofitable. Maintenance costs exceeded operating income by almost 50 million euros (according to Folha). The concern had previously tried to legally terminate the contract and return the stadium to the state, but the authorities of the state of Rio de Janeiro refused to accept it: why do they need such a burden on the municipal budget, which is already bursting threateningly? The Brazilian economy has been shrinking for the third year in a row, and the authorities have no money to maintain the stadium.

Maracanã's owner, Odebrecht, refuses to take over the stadium after the Olympics because it is being returned in poor condition.

Nevertheless, for the duration of the Olympics, the stadium came under the control of the state committee. After the games were over, the committee was to return the Maracana to Odebrecht. Six months passed, but this did not happen. Odebrecht simply refuses to accept the stadium back because it is returned in poor condition. The company calculated that returning the Maracana to, let's say, a functional state would cost about 20 million euros. And demanded them from the local authorities. We received a counterclaim for non-fulfillment of obligations to care for the stadium after the Olympics.

When you leave, turn off the light

The trial has dragged on for several months. State structures immediately after the Olympics stopped caring for the arena, and Odebrecht does not begin to do this until it receives the object in the same form in which it handed over. Meanwhile, hell is happening on the Maracan. The stadium is empty. Symbolic protection does not prevent to take out everything of value (monitors, bronze busts) and break the rest.

Whoever wins the case will now have to spend more on recovery. Just to re-lay the lawn, it will take about 1 million euros (if there is control over the targeted spending of funds). To invest huge sums of money in a deliberately unprofitable project in order to incur further losses - it is not surprising that both the state committee and the private company stand to their deaths. . Nobody pays the bills since the fall.

While the court decides who should pay for the restoration of Maracana, the stadium is empty and destroyed.

The most recent court ruling obliges Odebrecht to return to his duties of maintaining the stadium. However, it does not take into account the possible compensation that the company requires from the authorities. In addition, an appeal has already been filed. In general, nothing is over yet.

Flamengo and Fluminense play wherever they have to. From Das Dunas to Laranjeira and Julite Coutinho. Both clubs wouldn't mind a return to the iconic stadium, but admit it's unlikely. Flamengo is acting more decisively: negotiations are underway to reconstruct the old Gavea arena in order to increase its capacity to 25,000 spectators and make it the main one.

Lesson for everyone

The current story with Maracana cannot be compared with the situation, for example, in South Africa, where after the World Cup no one needed stadiums. Rio de Janeiro is home to Vasco, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense, four clubs with history and a large following. The stadium could be in demand. The problem of "Marakana" is in the initially high cost, which cannot be beaten off by any demand. And in a conflict of interest with a complex scheme of distribution of responsibility, which, due to the intransigence of the parties, led to an unforeseen increase in costs. This experience is worth exploring.

Flamengo are in talks to refurbish their old arena to make it their main arena.

Theoretically, such a situation can be simulated. For example, to imagine that the functional state in which the Krestovsky stadium will be commissioned will not suit Zenith. The club will demand that the missing work be carried out, and the municipality and the contractor will begin to find out in court whether the authorities are obliged to finance these works or whether they relate to the unfulfilled obligations of the contractor. Or is it generally the cost of "Zenith"? The Maracana example should discipline everyone.

Test. Construction of a stadium in St. Petersburg: where is the truth, where is the joke?

The construction of "Krestovsky" is one continuous anecdote. So many ridiculous things happened there that it is very difficult to distinguish truth from fiction.

History of the Maracana Stadium

"Maracana" - the official name of Estádio Mario Filho, was built to be the central venue for the 1950 World Cup. As conceived by the architects, the arena was to become the largest football stadium in the world.

In 1950, Brazil becomes the host country of the football championship. For this grand event, the government of a poor South American country made a fateful decision - to build a huge stadium, which in the end was destined to become not only the largest in the world in size, but also the most spacious.

For a long time, the total capacity of the Maracana was considered equal to 200 thousand people. Although in fact, the exact capacity of the stadium is still not known. Even in Brazil itself, it is believed that the giant could accommodate more than two hundred thousand. The Guinness Book of Records recorded a mark of 180 thousand, but other sources lower the bar to 155,000 fans.

August 2, 1948 - this day becomes the beginning of the history of the stadium, the date when the first stone was laid in the foundation of the future giant. The name of the stadium comes from the residential area of ​​the same name. The quarter itself got its name because of the river, on the site of which it was built at one time, and the river was named after a large parrot.

The current official name - Mario Filho, was assigned to the stadium in the early 60s of the last century. This is how the Brazilians paid tribute to the then mayor of Rio de Janeiro, thanks in large part to which the football Mecca was built.

"Maracana" had an oval shape, the roof of the structure was attached with large consoles, and the football field was separated from the stands by a real moat with water. The entrance to the stadium is decorated with a bronze statue of a football player, which was cast in honor of the triumph of the Brazilian national team at the World Cup in 1958. On the podium proudly placed the names of the then national team players, who remain true legends of world football to this day.

Everything is sacred on the Maracana: the couch, on which Garrinchi stretched his muscles, and the stupas, where the legendary Pele himself once changed, and the hot tub of the unsurpassed Zico, there is also a sign made in honor of the thousandth goal. The walls of the stadium are decorated with photographs of football players who brought fame to Brazil: Pelé, Junior, Zico, Romario, Garrinchi, Rivelino and Ronaldo.

"Marakana" is an immortal historical building, in every sense. Officially, the stadium has been a historical monument since 1998. Just for this reason, it could not be seriously modified. All work related to the modernization was carried out only for the reason of increasing the comfort and safety of the fans.

The concrete structure of the stadium, due to the huge number of visitors, needed a serious reconstruction, which took place in 2000, when the Maracana turned 50 years old. Upon its completion, the capacity of the arena was reduced to 103,045 people.

At the newly rebuilt stadium, in accordance with the FIFA requirements for the presence of only numbered seats, the famous “geral” sector was eliminated - these are the places behind the goals and benches, which accommodated only poor spectators. A ticket to the "geral" sector cost a symbolic price - only one dollar, which allowed almost every fan to attend the game of their favorite team. The geral was considered by many to be the most democratic sector of the stadium and an integral part of Brazil's football culture.

When Brazil became the hosts of the 2014 World Cup in 2007, there was no doubt that the Maracana, which should host the final, required a massive redevelopment. The stadium is scheduled to host a total of seven matches during the 2014 World Cup.

Construction work on the reconstruction began in 2010 and ended three years later. June 2, 2013 became a new starting point in the history of the legendary "Maracana" as the opening date of the reconstructed stadium. Symbolically on this day, the national team of Brazil played a friendly match against England, which ended peacefully - 2:2.

Little is left of the good old Maracana, no more than 15 percent, but it should be noted about the new one - a wonderful stadium, comfortable, modern, safe and beautiful.