Italy were one of the countries who missed out on
the vote to host the first World Cup but managed to
capture it next time around; becoming the second country to win the prestigeous golden
trophy for the home fans - after extra-time.
As many Europeans didn't travel to Uruguay in 1930, Italy among
them, the South Americans returned the favour. Even Uruguay didn't come to defend their
title.
Only Argentina, Brazil and the United States were present at the
finals in Italy..... but none of them managed to win their preliminary match and made an
early exit from the tournament.
With no group stages, the second World Cup was a knockout all the way.
Apart from the 7:1 thrashing of the United States, Italy's games were all tight; including
a draining quarter-final replay against Spain.
Even the final was scoreless until 20 minutes from time, when
Czechoslovakia took the lead. Italy equalised in the dying minutes to take the game into
extra-time.
The rest is history...... Giuseppe Meazza, the striker who scored in
the replay against Spain and produced the only goal against Austria, in the semi-final,
provided the final ball for Schiavio to score what was to be the cup-winning goal.
Bologna: Sweden vs
Argentina (3:2) Florence: Germany vs Belgium (5:2) Genoa: Spain vs Brazil (3:1) Milan: Switzerland vs Holland (3:2) Naples: Hungary vs Egypt (4:2) Rome: Italy vs United States (7:1) Trieste: Czechoslovakia vs Romania
(2:1) Turin: Austria vs France (3:2 aet)
