World Cup 2006

During the last World Cup before World War II broke out, Italy won its second World Cup. 1934 champions playing at home, the Italians repeated the feat in French territory. To win the tournament, they defeated first line teams, such as Norway (2-1), France, that played with fan support (3-1), and Brazil (2-1).

The 1938 World Cup’s most outstanding player was the Brazilian Leonidas da Silva, who ended the competition as best goal scorer, with 8 goals in 4 matches.

Spain took no part in the World Cup as it was immersed in the Civil War that started in 1936 and ended one year after the World Cup had ended.

In a much contended final, the Italians won over the Hungarians, who had a first quality team. However, in the final match played on June 19, Italy won 4-2 and returned back home with the title.

In spite of being absent from the first 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, Italy won its second title in two tournaments. Only a victory remained to be achieved to obtain the Jules Rimet Cup, awarded to the first national team to conquer the tournament three times. War and the appearance of new forces in soccer world delayed the dream until 1970, when Italy again reached another final.