Italy won their first World Cup on this day in 1934, defeating Czechoslovakia in Rome to become the competition’s first European winners and the second host nation to lift the trophy following Uruguay’s triumph four years earlier.
The Azzurri’s dreams looked to have been all but dashed as Antonin Puc put the visitors ahead with 71 minutes on the clock, before Raimundo Orsi equalised 10 minutes later and Angelo Schiavio netted the winner five minutes into extra-time.
There was no exuberant celebrations though, as Schiavio briefly fainted because of fatigue before coming round and playing out the remainder of the game. It would turn out to be his final appearance for the national team, who he would manage between 1953 and 1958.
The Stadio Nazionale PNF, which hosted the final and two other fixtures at the tournament, was demolished in 1957, but Rome remains one of the best places in the world to watch football, with Lazio and Roma playing at home on alternate weeks at the Stadio Olimpico.
Serie A fixtures for 2026-27 were released last week so now is the time to start planning a trip to the Eternal City
And as for Rome the city, it is one of the most coveted and visited destinations in the world. Check out our city page for tips on where to stay and the best places to eat and drink, plus things to do.
Related Articles
Related Articles
About 150,000 people watched the 2006 final in Circus Maximus - an ancient chariot racing stadium between the Colosseum and Trastevere.
Rossi had broken Brazilian hearts with a hat-trick in the previous round and was finding his form at just the right time.
Another goal from Toto Schillaci, his fourth of the tournament, settled the game played in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.