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FRANCE 1938

Azzurri do the double
France were chosen as die hosts of the 1938 World Cup, largely as a thanks to Jules Ri met, the Parisian who had set up the tournament in the first place. In protest of the decision, Argentina, who had expected to host the tournament, refused to enter. Uruguay, ever close allies of the Argentine cause, followed suit.
The 1938 World Cup is notable for the first sighting of the first Brazilian legend: Leonidas da Silva. Although his team would fall at the semifinal stage, he scored eight goals to etch his name in the history books. There were again a couple of surprise entries: The Dutch East Indies made their first and only appearance, as did Cuba.
In the group stages, holders Italy continued their apparent tradition of making a mountain out of a molehill, by labouring to beat Norway 2-1. Elsewhere, the Dutch East Indies were thrashed 6-0 by Hungary, and Cuba nearly provided a surprise before being held 3-3 by Romania. Romantics didn't have to wait too long, though. The Cubans won the replay 2-1. Elsewhere, Germany were surprised by four goals to two by the Swiss after a replay and, in possibly the most extraordinary match the World Cup has ever seen, Brazil beat Poland 6-5, with Leonidas and the Polish striker Willimowski scoring four each.
Sweden, who were given a bye to the quarterfinals, ran through with eight goals past Cuba. The French became the first host nation to not win the competition, after their loss against Italy, Leonidas scored another two, as Brazil beat the Czechs 2-1 after a replay.
Italy were the favourites in the semifinal against the tournament's form team Brazil. So what do Brazil do? They drop Leonidas in preparation for the final. In an act of supreme poetic justice, Italy edged through 2-1. In the other semifinal, Sweden were battered 5-1 by the rapidly improving Hungarians.
The Stade de Colombes in Paris wasn't even at capacity for the final of the 1938 World Cup. It was a battle of ideologies. The Hungarians, a prototype of the famous team of the 1950s, were known for their all-out attacking style. Italy, on the other hand, preferred to play it cautiously. The match got off to an extraordinary start, with two goals in the first eight minutes. Silvio Piola edged the Italians back in front and, twenty minutes into the second half, Colaussi extended the lead to 3-1. Just when it seemed as if it was all over for the 1 lungarians, they seized a lifeline when Sarosi pulled one back with twenty minutes to play. It wasn't enough, though - a late shot from Piola tied it up to take the Jules Rirnet trophy back to Italy again.
Sadly, it was to be the last World Cup for 12 years, as the World War II intervened. When football resumed, the map of world football had changed considerably.
FACTS & FIGURES
Winners: Italy
Runners-up: Hungary'
Leading Scorer: Leonidas da Silva
(BRA)-8
Teams: 15
Matches: 18
Goals: 84
Attendance: 376,000