On This Day at the World Cup – July 5: Paolo Rossi’s Hat-Trick Sinks Brazil

On this day in 1982, Paolo Rossi wrote his name in Italian football lore with a hat-trick against Brazil as the Azzurri reached the World Cup semi-final.

Having been banned from football for two years for his involvement in the Totonero betting scandal, the Juventus forward was a surprise inclusion in Enzo Bearzot’s squad, a selection which looked entirely unjustified as he failed to register in the opening four games.

Rossi opened his account in spectacular style against Brazil after just five minutes, adding a second after Socrates had drawn the South Americans level, and eventually netting the winner with 74 minutes on the clock to ensure Italy topped the three-team group and qualified for the last four.

They would go on to beat Poland in the semis before defeating West Germany to lift the trophy.

On the same day Rossi was banging in his treble against the Brazilians, former Parma and AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino was born.

A World Cup winner in 2006, Gilardino scored 188 goals in 514 Serie A appearances for clubs including the Rossoneri, Verona, Parma, Genoa and Fiorentina.

Parma and Verona are ideal destinations for a calcio weekend off the beaten track, combining football, history and delicious food. Our playbooks have the lowdown for those wanting to discover Parma and visit the Arena in Verona, while you can head to our guides for all the essentials on how to get tickets to watch both sets of Gialloblu in action.