FIFA World Cup History - Reliving the 1938 World Cup.
The 1938 World Cup was the third edition of the World Cup where France was chosen as the host country in August, 1936. However, it was Italy which was able to successfully defend their title when they defeated Hungary in a 4-2 drubbing in the final.
The South Americans were outraged by FIFA’s decision to hold the tournament in France. Italy had hosted the previous World Cup and this meant that two consecutive World Cups will be held in Europe. This led to both Uruguay and Argentina refusing to participate in the tournament. Spain couldn’t participate either owing to a civil war that had broken out in the country. Both Italy and France automatically qualified for the tournament with France being the host country and Italy as the reigning World Champions. The automatic qualification rule for the reigning champions was however revoked in 2006.
16 nations were set to participate in the mega-event when Austria backed out due to political changes in n**i Germany. Like the previous World Cup, this tournament had no groups and started with the knockout stages. The tournament was held in a knockout format, quite similar to the 1934 version of the World Cup. This was the last tournament where there were no group stages.
The World Cup in 1938 was a highly competitive one with most of the first round matches extending into extra-time. Such was the competition that two games had to be played all over again so that the winner could be decided. The Swiss defeated the Germans with a score of 4-2 in a replay match. Cuba also advanced into the second round after defeating Romania in the process.
As Austria withdrew from the tournament, Sweden automatically qualified for the quarterfinals where they met Cuba. Sweden dismantled Cuba by thrashing the Cubans in an 8-0 drubbing. Italy overcame hosts France and Hungary prevailed over the Swiss. Brazil met a tough Czechoslovakian side, where a winner couldn’t be decided even in extra-time. In a replay match, Brazil triumphed over a below par Czechoslovakia with a score of 2-1 to book their place in the semi-finals.
Hungary met Sweden in the semi-finals while Brazil and Italy started their long rivalry in the World Cup. The Brazilians were overconfident and even rested their star player Leonidas. The move backfired and Italy defeated them 2-1 to book a place in the World Cup final. Hungary on the hand demolished Sweden with a 5-1 humiliation to setup a clash with Italy in the final.
Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris hosted this all-important clash between Hungary and defending Champions Italy. Hungary was looking to get their hands on the trophy, while Italy wanted to make history by successfully defending their trophy. Italy took an early lead, but Hungary brought things on level terms within the next two minutes. Once again, Italy took the lead and at the end of the first half, Italy had a score of 3-1 against Hungary. Hungary perhaps lost all hope and at the final whistle, Italy won the World Cup with a convincing score of 4-2. They were crowned the champions, making it a perfect two from two. They became the only team to successfully defend the coveted trophy on two consecutive occasions.
Owing to World War II, the FIFA World Cup could not be organised between the years 1934-1950. This meant that Italy were the World Champions for a record 16 years. An interesting fact was that the then Vice President of FIFA, Dr Ottorino Barassi protected the trophy under his bed in a shoe box. The trophy was successfully protected till the 1950 World Cup, which put an end to Italy’s 16 year streak, as Uruguay went ahead and won the tournament.
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