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World Cup 1934

Winner

Italy

Highlights

Held in Italy, the 1934 World Cup was the first to be staged in Europe and the first preceded by a qualifying competition, in which the host nation itself had to take part. Holders Uruguay declined to travel, the only time a reigning world champion has not defended its title. The sixteen teams played straight knockout football from the first round, and Egypt became the first African side to appear at the tournament.

The quarter-final between Italy and Spain was the hardest-fought tie of the competition: after a 1-1 draw following extra time, the match was replayed the very next day and won 1-0 by the Italians. Czechoslovakia's Oldřich Nejedlý finished as top scorer with five goals.

In the final in Rome, Czechoslovakia took the lead in the second half through Antonín Puč, before Raimundo Orsi equalised with less than ten minutes remaining. Angelo Schiavio won the title for Italy in extra time (2-1). It was the first world crown for the Azzurri, coached by Vittorio Pozzo.

Statistics

Total goals
70
Matches played
17
Goals/match
4.12
Best attack (goals scored)
12
Italy
Best defense (goals conceded)
2
Romania

Knockout stage

Round of 16

Italy - United States7 - 1
Czechoslovakia - Romania2 - 1
Spain - Brazil3 - 1
Switzerland - Netherlands3 - 2
Sweden - Argentina3 - 2
Germany - Belgium5 - 2
Austria - France3 - 2 a.e.t.
Hungary - Egypt4 - 2

Quarter-finals

Germany - Sweden2 - 1
Czechoslovakia - Switzerland3 - 2
Austria - Hungary2 - 1
Italy - Spain1 - 1 a.e.t.
Italy - Spain1 - 0

Semi-finals

Czechoslovakia - Germany3 - 1
Italy - Austria1 - 0

Third place

Germany - Austria3 - 2

Final

Italy2
Czechoslovakia1

After extra time

Top Scorers

Rank Player Goals Penalties Goals/match
1 Oldrich Nejedly 5 0 1.25
2 Edmund Conen 4 0 1.00
2 Angelo Schiavio 4 0 1.00
4 Léopold Kielholz 3 0 1.50
4 Raimundo Orsi 3 0 0.60
6 Bernard Voorhoof 2 0 2.00
6 Abdel Rahman Fawzi 2 0 2.00
6 Karl Hohmann 2 0 1.00
6 Johann Horvath 2 0 1.00
6 Sven Jonasson 2 0 1.00
6 Géza Toldi 2 0 1.00
6 José Iraragorri 2 1 1.00
6 Ernest Lehner 2 0 0.50
6 Antonín Puc 2 0 0.50
6 Giovanni Ferrari 2 0 0.50
6 Giuseppe Meazza 2 0 0.40
17 Leonidas 1 0 1.00
17 Leen Vente 1 0 1.00
17 Jeno Vincze 1 0 1.00
17 Willy Jaeggi 1 0 1.00
17 Pál Teleki 1 0 1.00
17 Kick Smit 1 0 1.00
17 Rudolf Noack 1 0 1.00
17 Alberto Galateo 1 0 1.00
17 Stefan Dobay 1 0 1.00
17 Aldo Donelli 1 0 1.00
17 György Sárosi 1 1 1.00
17 Ernesto Belis 1 0 1.00
17 Jean Nicolas 1 0 1.00
17 Georges Verriest 1 1 1.00
17 André Abegglen 1 0 0.50
17 Knut Kroon 1 0 0.50
17 Gosta Dunker 1 0 0.50
17 Toni Schall 1 0 0.50
17 Isidro Lángara 1 0 0.50
17 Luis Regueiro 1 0 0.50
17 Stanislaus Kobierski 1 0 0.33
17 Frantisek Svoboda 1 0 0.33
17 Matthias Sindelar 1 0 0.33
17 Otto Siffling 1 0 0.25
17 Jirí Sobotka 1 0 0.25
17 Karl Sesta 1 0 0.25
17 Karl Zischek 1 0 0.25
17 Josef Bican 1 0 0.25
17 Enrique Guaita 1 0 0.25