As in Uruguay four years earlier, it was the hosts who ended up as winners, with the Italians led by legendary manager Vittorio Pozzo. Their win was shrouded in controversy, with the squad including several stars whose eligibility was open to question, and the whole tournament seen as a promotional tool for Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
In contrast to four years earlier, the entire quarter final line up was made up of European teams. Uruguay hadn’t travelled to defend their title, while Brazil and Argentina were both eliminated in the first round.
Italy started by cruising past USA 7-1, but their progress from there was anything but smooth. They had to go to a replay before seeing off Spain in the quarter finals, then edged past Austria 1-0 to set up a final in which they had to come from behind to beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in Rome, with Angelo Schiavio scoring the winner in extra time.
This was the first World Cup to be entered by what was then known as the Irish Free State. In a qualifying campaign consisting of just two matches, Paddy Moore scored all four goals in a 4-4 draw at home to Belgium, but hopes were ended by a 5-2 defeat against the Dutch in Amsterdam.
