Exeter City's South American tour came about at the instigation of Brazil's neighbours and arch-rivals Argentina.

In 1914, Buenos Aires's nascent football community sent an invitation to the FA for an English team to travel there to play local sides. The Devon club, then mid-table in the Southern League, were selected as a "truly representative side".

On May 22 a squad of 15 players left Southampton docks and arrived in Rio 18 days later. Their stay got off to an ignominious start. During a stop-off at Santos the entire team was arrested. They had gone for a dip in the sea, unaware that bathing was banned at that beach. Were it not for an understanding local police commissioner the trip may have ended before they kicked a ball.

No football was played in Brazil on the way out. But after a successful stint in Argentina, matches against Brazilian sides were organised for the return visit to Rio. It was the first time a professional club had ever played in Brazil.

In the first game Exeter beat a team of English expats 3-0. Next they overcame a team of Brazilians playing for Rio's clubs 5-3.

For the final match Rio decided to pool resources with Sao Paulo - an audacious decision considering the rivalry between the two cities. It was seen as good preparation for an international tournament that was due to take place in Argentina later in the year.

The all-star team made up of Rio and Sao Paulo's finest faced the mighty Exeter City on July 21 1914 at the city's Laranjeiras stadium. The Brazilian national side was born.

Newspapers reported unprecedented interest in the game. The 6,000-capacity ground, which to this day is the home of Fluminense, was full well before kick-off. There was no space left even on the roof of the stands. An estimated 10,000 people saw the game.

Brazil took the lead with a shot from Oswaldo. "The spectators went wild, waving hats and walking sticks, and in the stands ladies and young girls waved handkerchiefs, shouting hurrahs," the local press reported.

Shortly afterwards, according to reports, the English got vicious. Brazil's star striker, Artur Friedenreich, received facial injuries after a fall provoked by a charge from an English player. It has entered football legend that Friedenreich lost two teeth in the challenge.

Whether he did or did not the image was created of a plucky and long-suffering race facing up to tall, strong and healthy Europeans - an idea that still forms part of the Brazilian national psyche.

Brazil scored again, with the English-sounding Osman hitting the back of the net. As the whistle blew on 2-0 the players were carried off on the crowd's shoulders, proclaimed national heroes. Newspapers reported "praise for the correctness and mastery with which the Brazilians had rendered useless the efforts of the English professionals".

Thanks to the Grecians, football had created an unforeseen patriotism among the Brazilian people. Their nation had become a republic only 25 years before. A few decades later football was to become the greatest symbol of their national identity.