85 years ago today, Italy won their second World Cup

Rome: On this day in 1938, a Giuseppe Meazza-led Italy flew to their second ever World Cup after beating Hungary in the final.

The Azzurri qualified for the tournament in France as reigning champions, having beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final four years prior in Rome. Still led by legendary coach Vittorio Pozzo, hopes were high for Italy for the competition in France, and they did not disappoint.

Italy’s first match in the Round of 16 was against Norway, a team who had shown their strength in the 1936 Summer Olympics. Wary of their rivals, Pozzo’s side took the lead early through Pietro Ferraris before a late Arne Brustad equaliser sent the game to extra time. Silvio Piola made the difference in the 94th minute, securing the Azzurri’s first win of the 1938 World Cup.

Their quarter-final clash proved to be a tense one. Italy faced hosts France and over 58,000 spectators attended for what was expected to be one of the matches of the World Cup. The Azzurri took the lead early through Gino Colaussi, but Oscar Heisserer almost immediately responded for France. Two second half goals from Piola allowed Pozzo’s side to scrape through to the semi-final.

Italy had a tough test in their semi-final, facing an impressive looking Brazil. Selecao shot stopper Walter proved to be a brick wall in the first half, reducing the Azzurri’s chances, but things changed in the second half thanks to a goal from Colaussi and a penalty from Meazza. Romeu Pellicciari netted a consolation goal from a corner in the dying minutes of the match.

On June 19, 1938, at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris, 45,000 people watched on as Italy took on a rising Hungary in the World Cup final. Alfréd Schaffer’s side only managed a sixth-place finish at the previous tournament four years prior but had impressed in France, thrashing Sweden 5-1 in the semi-final.

Pozzo’s side continued their fast starts and took the lead after just six minutes thanks to Colaussi. This didn’t last long, however, as Pal Titkos drew the game level just two minutes later. After the match settled a little, Piola managed to break through and put Italy ahead once again in the 16th minute.

Italy continued their impressive play in the first half and put themselves 3-1 up in the 35th minute through Colaussi, who netted his fourth and final goal of the tournament. The second half saw Gyorgy Sarosi claw one back for Hungary in the 70th minute, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap and Piola secured the win with his 82nd minute strike.

The 4-2 win saw Italy lift their second World Cup, defending their title and becoming the first non-host team to win the tournament. Pozzo’s side threatened to dominate the international landscape, but the events of the following year drew this stage of the Azzurri’s history to an abrupt close.