The NFL’s spirit took over in Brazil amidst Cowboys-Ravens thriller
RIO DE JANEIRO — Soccer, volleyball, no-holds-barred… Maracanã is the answer for all the “What’s the attendance record in…” trivia questions in Brazil, and the iconic stadium, home for FIFA World Cup Finals in 1950 and 2014, was now the destination for NFL’s first trip to Rio de Janeiro with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore […]
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Maracanã Stadium, home to FIFA World Cup Finals in 1950 and 2014, hosted the NFL's first trip to Rio de Janeiro with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens facing off. A record-breaking 72,792 fans attended the epic game, making it the largest attendance in Maracanã in 2026. The Ravens had the majority of the stands, but the Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey and Javonte Williams got the game started.
However, the Ravens' Derrick Henry and Tyler Loop ultimately secured the 24-13 halftime lead, with the Brazilian crowd chanting "Let's go Ravens" in English. Jake Ferguson's touchdown put the Cowboys back in the lead in the third quarter, but the Ravens responded with a miraculous field goal with just one second left, sealing the victory.
The NFL's presence in Brazil was met with enthusiasm, with fans chanting "Defense!" in support of the Cowboys. This marked the end of a 76-year wait for the stadium to witness a winning football match in Brazil after the 1950 World Cup Final loss to Uruguay.
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