MATCH STATISTICS BRAZIL VS CZECHOSLOVAKIA (1962 WORLD CUP FINAL) USING FOOTBALL SCANNER

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a detailed statistical analysis of the 1962 World Cup final match between Brazil and Czechoslovakia. Utilizing the unique "Football Scanner" software-hardware complex, previously employed by Russian television networks for major sporting events, we performed comprehensive digitization of preserved match footage. The obtained results fill critical gaps in the historical match statistics and provide valuable data for comparative analysis with modern games, while contributing to football's digital heritage preservation. The research findings will benefit sports analysts and football historians studying the game's evolution, as well as appeal to a broader audience of football enthusiasts.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье представлен детальный статистический анализ финального матча чемпионата мира 1962 года между сборными Бразилии и Чехословакии. С использованием уникального программно-аппаратного комплекса «Футбольный сканер», ранее применявшегося российскими телеканалами при освещении крупных спортивных событий, выполнена комплексная оцифровка сохранившейся телевизионной записи матча. Полученные результаты восполняют пробелы в статистике исторического матча и представляют ценность для сравнительного анализа с современными играми, а также для сохранения цифрового наследия футбола. Материалы исследования будут полезны спортивным аналитикам и историкам футбола, изучающим эволюцию игры, а также широкому кругу её любителей.

Keywords: Brazil vs Czechoslovakia, 1962 World Cup Final, football statistics, football analytics, match control program, match digitization, football scanner, expected goals, xG, most probable score

Ключевые слова: Бразилия – Чехословакия, финал ЧМ 1962, футбольная статистика, футбольная аналитика, программа управления матчем, оцифровка матча, футбольный сканер, ожидаемые голы, xG, наиболее вероятный счёт.

Introduction

Modern football analytics has advanced significantly through technological developments. Contemporary tools such as player tracking systems, sensor-equipped balls [1], computer vision, and neural networks now enable precise monitoring of player movements, match statistics calculation, and tactical pattern analysis. However, these cutting-edge methods remain inaccessible for studying historic matches that form the golden heritage of world football, including World Cup and European Championship finals.

The sole solution for digitizing such matches is the unique software-hardware complex Match Control Program, developed by the author (Gennady G. Kravtsov [ORCID: 0009-0000-3405-1461], former Chief Engineer of Satellite Observation Station No. 1042 at the USSR Academy of Sciences) [4, p. 930]. The match data is generated by the football scanner – an integral component of the system.

This innovative tool has revolutionized football analytics. The system underwent rigorous testing and was used during Russian television broadcasts of Russian Premier League matches (2011-2014), major tournaments (Euro 2012, World Cup 2014), with its hockey version implemented at the 2014 Olympics.Tens of millions of viewers could see its results [4, p. 930].

In 2012, it became the world's first system to calculate Expected Goals (xG) - the most probable match score. The obtained data was regularly published in the central weekly newspaper "Futbol" during coverage of the 2012 Russian Championship and 2014 European Championship [3].

Methods and Results

The methodological basis of the scanner's operation became the adapted technique of optical positional observations of artificial Earth satellites [6], successfully applied to the analysis of football and hockey matches.The system provides a unique opportunity to study historical matches using advanced analytical methods, expanding the possibilities of football analytics.

The Applied Statistics Research Center systematically works on digitizing and analyzing such historical matches [5, p. 33], enabling not only tracing football's evolution but also providing objective assessment of past encounters.

Particular interest lies in key matches played over half a century ago. The purpose of this article is to analyze the 1962 World Cup final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia using this method.

The final took place on June 17 at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, and ended with Brazil's 3-1 victory [2]. For the first time in history, the final was refereed by a Soviet official, Nikolai Latyshev. This match became the culmination of the tournament, in which the Brazilian national team confirmed its status as the world's strongest by defending the title won four years earlier at the 1958 World Cup. Czechoslovakia, although defeated, demonstrated its best achievement, with its combination play earning recognition.

The Czechoslovak national team started the match with high intensity, demonstrating excellent physical conditioning (Figure 1). Their peak activity occurred at the beginning of the match when Josef Masopust scored following a penetrating pass (xG=0.47) [7]. However, their intensity gradually declined afterward, with no dangerous opportunities created (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Player activity dynamics (number of actions per minute of possession)

Unlike their opponents, Brazil adopted a different tactical approach. Beginning the match less intensely, the South Americans progressively increased their tempo, reaching peak activity by the middle of the game (Figure 1).

Their style featured rapid attacks (pass vector 1.0 m) emphasizing individual skill. In the 17th minute, Amarildo struck from a sharp angle (xG=0.07), with the goalkeeper leaving the near post uncovered, equalizing the score. Particularly revealing were the expected goals values: the second goal scored into an empty net (Zito, 69th minute) had xG=0.72 following a cross, while the third goal (Vavá, 78th minute) with xG=0.87 resulted from a clear goalkeeping error. Except for these moments, neither team created any significant scoring chances (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Expected goals dynamics

Brazil played more aggressively, although most attacks did not pose a serious threat to the opponent's goal (Figure 2). Their final xG advantage (2.51 vs 1.07) is primarily explained by two mistakes from the Czechoslovak goalkeeper. Otherwise, the match remained evenly balanced.

Shots on goal: 29 vs 13 (on target: 14 vs 6), completed attacks: 27.4% vs 15%, corners: 7 vs 3 - confirm their offensive superiority, yet all this had low impact on expected goals (xG) (Figure 3), with the exception of the aforementioned two goal-scoring moments.

Figure 3. Team match statistics and their ratios

Despite nearly equal possession (51.1%-49.9%), the teams employed different approaches: Czechoslovakia controlled more possession with more accurate passes (387 vs 332) at 77-75% accuracy and lower intensity (11 passes/minute vs Brazil's 9.8). These metrics reflect lower values than modern football standards, largely due to evolved tactical approaches.

Brazil advanced more aggressively, with their 1.0 m pass vector (vs 0.6 m) indicating quicker attacking transitions. The Europeans covered 545 more meters with the ball (3068 vs 2523) at higher speed (9.5 km/h vs 8.6). Czechoslovakia committed five more unforced errors (21 vs 16), partially explaining defensive lapses (Figure 3). This proved decisive in an otherwise balanced match.

Brazil's primary threat came through central zones where their attacking power concentrated. Both teams rarely penetrated the penalty area, evidenced by an average shooting distance of approximately 20 meters.

Figure 4. Player activity heat maps

Notably, Brazil barely utilized flanks (Figure 4) despite Garrincha's presence, though their first two goals originated from left-wing attacks. Meanwhile, Czechoslovakia predominantly attacked through their right flank, making their play predictable. Both teams' organized defenses forced opponents into long-range attempts.

Conclusions

The analysis of the 1962 World Cup final reconstructed using the football scanner not only confirmed key historical observations but also supplemented them with objective statistical data revealing new aspects of the game. The study clearly demonstrated the value of the retrospective approach, enabling a re-evaluation of landmark football events from the past through the lens of modern analytical methods. The obtained results make a significant contribution to filling information gaps about crucial historical matches and establish a foundation for further research into the evolution of world football.

References:

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2. FIFA World Cup 1962. (n.d.). Brazil vs Czechoslovakia [Full match]. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/live/LeYoz3_fm-A
3. Futbol Weekly. (2012). Issues 30–50. [Russian sports weekly].
4. Kravtsov, G. G. (2024). Football scanner and its use in television broadcasts. Science Bulletin, 11(80), 930–937. https://doi.org/10.24412/2712-8849-2024-1180-930-937
5. Kravtsov, G. G. (2025). Match statistics Netherlands-USSR (1988 final) using football scanner. Universum: Technical Sciences, 2(131), 33–37. https://doi.org/10.32743/unitech.2025.131.2.19327
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