France celebrating their win of the 2018 World Cup (Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
This Sunday, France have the chance to become only the third nation in history to retain the World Cup, which gives me an unmissable licence to bore.
Apologies in advance, but the fault lies with Orbis, who released a binder and sticker album ahead of Italia 90. As a 13-year-old, I was obsessed, waiting outside the newsagent in East Belfast for the next issue to hit the shelves.
While all my mates were trying to buy Razzle, I was dazzled by this collection that documented the history of the greatest show on earth. Ever since, I have been pestering people with pointless trivia, only now I get paid for it.
The first World Cup, in 1930, is a treasure trove of facts and fable, my favourite being that different footballs were used in each half of the final. Argentina’s in the first half, host Uruguay’s in the second. The half time score? 2-1 Argentina. Full time? 4-2 Uruguay.
Sorry, I digress. The 1934 World Cup was won by hosts Italy, who were under the rule of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Even in qualifying, after winning their first leg against Greece 4-0, their opponents withdrew ahead of the second leg. The reasons cited are, these days, questioned, and it’s distinctly possible that a call was made, as was a donation.
As hosts, losing just simply wasn’t an option. Their quarter-final draw against Spain was so bruising that, come the replay, which remarkably took place the very next day, Spain had to make seven changes through injury.
After the Azzurri took the lead, Spain had two goals ruled out. Now, even if you forgive the first for a contentious offside, the second was ruled out after the referee pulled back play… for a free-kick to Spain!
Benito Mussolini handing World Cup to Italian footballers (Picture: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
Rene Mercet was struck off by the Swiss Football Association and Fifa on his return home. Nothing to see here, obviously.
The official for the semi-final and final, Sweden’s Ivan Eklind, was alleged to have met with Mussolini beforehand. One can only assume it was to wish him well and urge him to remain impartial at all times.
Four years later, and Italy were very much the villains. Skipping the history lesson, it is worth retelling the story of the final. Legend has it Mussolini sent a telegram to the Italian team with a simple message: ‘Win or Die’.
It was a phrase somewhat lost in translation but after they beat Hungary 4-2, defeated keeper Antal Szabo mused: ‘I may have let in four goals, but at least I saved their lives.’
Italian football team before their 1934 final against Czechoslovakia (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Italy’s back-to-back World Cups undoubtedly come with an asterisk, which brings us on to the Brazil side of 1958 and a 17-year-old Pele who announced himself to the world, eventually, as he actually didn’t play in the first two games.
Once he popped, he didn’t stop, bagging six goals in four games. There was an amazing touch and turn against Wales in the quarter- finals, in a ‘what might have been’ game as Wales were missing their star striker John Charles.
Then came his hat-trick against the French in the semi-final, the first of which I could have scored, the third of which I would have broken my back attempting.
Then two in the final against Sweden, with the first, without doubt, one of the all-time greatest World Cup goals.
Pele after Brazil won the 1962 World Cup by beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 (Picture: DPA)
Fun fact. This remains the only World Cup that saw England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all qualify. Okay, it wasn’t that fun.
In 1962 the Battle Of Santiago between Chile and Italy was the main controversy, famously described by David Coleman as ‘the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game’.
In a tournament marred by violent encounters, Pele was injured in the group stages, and did not play again, but other stars came out to play. Didi was still there, Amarildo shone and, of course, Garrincha set the world alight as Brazil defended the title.
So, over to you France. All that stands between you and a rare slice of World Cup history is Argentina and a little bloke called Lionel Messi.
You have the chance to become only the third side to retain the World Cup, and the first to do it without the help of a fascist dictator or the greatest player to ever walk this earth.
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‘While all my mates were trying to buy Razzle, I was dazzled…’
