THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE STAGE
Italy, 1934: the second World Cup. Thirty-two nations entered and, for the first time, had to qualify; even the hosts played a qualifier. Holders Uruguay refused to come. Benito Mussolini's government poured money into the tournament.
THE KNOCKOUTS
Sixteen teams, no groups, straight knockout. Italy beat the United States 7–1, then Spain in a violent quarter-final replay, 1–0, after a 1–1 draw. Enrique Guaita's goal beat Austria's Wunderteam in the semi-final.
THE FINAL
Rome, 10 June 1934. Antonín Puč put Czechoslovakia ahead. Raimundo Orsi equalised with nine minutes left. In extra time Angelo Schiavio beat František Plánička: 2–1. He said he scored on the last breath he had.
THE LEGACY
Vittorio Pozzo's Metodo and three Argentine-born oriundi, Luis Monti among them, carried Italy. The tournament carries the shadow of the man in the stand.
MORE FROM THE WORLD CUP UNIVERSE
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.