Brazil 3–1 Uruguay

The semi-final was moved from Mexico City to Guadalajara three days before it was played, despite Uruguay's protests. Luis Cubilla put Uruguay ahead in the 19th minute. Clodoaldo equalised just before half-time, and Jairzinho and Rivellino scored in the second half.

Pelé did not score, but he made one of the best-known plays of his career. Tostão sent him through, and goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz came out. Pelé let the ball run past the keeper on one side while he ran round the other. He reached it and shot, but the ball went just wide of the far post.

The crowd was 51,261.

Uruguay had beaten Brazil at the Maracanã in the deciding match of the 1950 World Cup, and the semi-final was charged with that memory. Rivellino's goal in the last minute came from Pelé's pass. Mazurkiewicz was later named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.