On This Day at the World Cup – June 19: Roberto Baggio Weaves His Magic

This was the day that 23-year-old Roberto Baggio introduced himself to the wider world with one of the all-time great World Cup goals.

It was also the day, many years before, that Italy won the tournament for the second time. But first, Baggio.

It was Italia 90, against Czechoslovakia in the group stage, with just 12 minutes remaining on the clock and the hosts 1-0 up in Rome. The Divine Ponytail picked the ball up near the halfway line, played a one-two with Giuseppe Giannini and took off. He glided past players in that magical Baggio way and twisted one opponent like a pretzel before slamming the ball home. It was the goal of the tournament.

Just over half a century earlier, Italy won a second World Cup in row and Vittorio Pozzo became the first, and so far only, manager to win consecutive editions.

Italy’s first arrived on home soil in 1934 and this one, four years later in France, ensured they went down in history as one of the greatest teams ever.

Goal machine Silvio Piola – the all-time leading scorer in the Italian top flight – and Gino Colaussi scored two each in the 4-2 win over Hungary in the final.

The Azzurri had brushed aside hosts France and Brazil en route to the final in Paris, the last World Cup match for 12 years, due to the Second World War.

It would take something special to match Baggio’s goal at the Stadio Olimpico but all these years later it remains a special place to watch football and Rome the city is well worth a visit. Check out our pages for all the top tips.