For the first time in World Cup history, it was not the host nation to win the title as world champion as Italy defended their crown by knocking off Hungary 4-2 in France. The tournament was played with war clouds looming over head on the European continent.
War, Rejections, Demonstrations
Europe in the late 1930s was not a friendly sight with World War II just about to break out. Austria had already been annexed by Adolf Hitler's Germany - and the Germans even had included some Austrians on their squad. And civil war was ravaging in Spain. Uruguay and Argentina decided not to come to the tournament - Argentina because they failed in a bid to host the event. And the presence of Germany and Italy spawned anti-fascist demonstrations. The tournament ran from June 4-19, 1938.
Cuba, Dutch East Indies Make Only World Cup Appearance
The 1938 World Cup saw the first and only appearance in a World Cup for Cuba and Dutch East Indies. The Cubans drew 3-3 with Romania and then beat them 2-1 in the replay. But then Cuba were thrashed 8-0 against Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Goals Festival In First Round
The first round also saw Brazil - playing for the first time in Europe - knock off Poland 6-5 as Leonidas scored a hat-trick. But Poland's Ernest Wilimowski became the first man to score four goals in a World Cup match. Italy beat Norway 2-1 while Hungary got two goals each from Gyorgy Sarosi and Gyula Zsengeller in a 6-0 drubbing of Dutch East Indies. Switzerland meanwhile beat Germany 4-2 in a replay.
Piola Twice On Target For Italy In Quarters
The Italians received two goals from Silvio Piola in a 3-1 win over hosts France in front of 59,000 at Stade Colombes near Paris in the quarters. Tore Keller and Gustav Wetterstrom meanwhile both scored hat-tricks in Sweden's 8-0 win over Cuba. Hungary beat Switzerland 2-0 and Brazil came back to beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in a replay after falling behind in the first half. In the first match - a 1-1 draw - three players were red-carded and two Czechoslovakia players suffered broken limbs.
Italy Stops Brazil Run, Hungary Get Hat-Trick From Zsengeller
Brazil's run however was stopped in the semi-finals by Italy as Gino Colaussi and Guiseppe Meazza gave Vittorio Pozzo's men a two-goal lead before Romeu pulled one back late in a 2-1 Italy victory. Brazil were playing without Leonidas, who finished as the Golden Shoe winner with seven goals, including two as Brazil took third place. Hungary set up their date with Italy as Zsengeller collected a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Sweden, who jumped ahead 1-0 in the first minute.
Piola And Colaussi Score Twice In Downing Hungary
The 1936 Olympic champions Italy returned to the World Cup final with four players who appeared in the 1934 tournament, including Silvio Piola. And the Azzurri were out to prove the title four years ago was not due to the home field advantage. Colaussi opened the scoring after just six minutes and was equalized by Pal Titkos two minutes later. But Piola and Colaussi made it 3-1 at the break. Gyorgy Sarosi made it 3-2 in the 70th before Piola's second strike with eight minutes remaining was the decider for 4-2. Italy were the first team to defend the title.
