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WORLD CUP HISTORY
Argentina unveiled a young Diego Maradona, while the Brazilian trio of Zico, Socrates and Dirceu were a marvel to watch.
But Paolo Rossi's hat-trick knocked Brazil out, and the Italian striker kept up his scoring form in the Final as the Azzurri beat West Germany 3-1. Italy's 40-year-old goalkeeper Dino Zoff became the oldest player ever to lift the trophy.
Colombia were designated to host the 1986 finals, but high crime and the interference in football by drug cartels persuaded FIFA to switch venues to Mexico, who themselves overcame an earthquake to put on a great show.
Africa's rise was exemplified by Morocco, who became the first country from the continent to win a group, holding Poland and England to goalless draws and beating Portugal 3-1.
But their dream was ended by the Germans in the second round, with Lothar Matthaus scoring the only goal a minute from time, while Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' and his mazy dribble put paid to England in the quarterfinals.
The Final, between Argentina and West Germany, was a classic. Argentina were two up with 17 minutes to go, but Germany scored twice in quick succession to equalise. Maradona had the final say, however, releasing a perfect pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who ran half the length of the field to score the winner.
1970-1978 WORLD CUP HISTORY
But the 1970 FIFA World Cup has a special place in football folklore thanks to the awesome display of attacking power by Brazil, notably Pelé, Jairzinho, Tostao and Rivelino.
Brazil beat England 1-0 in a group match remembered for Gordon Banks' save from Pelé, and danced all the way to the Final, where they routed the defensively strong Italy 4-1.
The 1974 tournament in West Germany was dominated by two great sides: The Netherlands - who introduced the world to 'Total Football' - and the hosts. And, with Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer pulling the strings, it was they who met in the Final.
The Dutch took the lead from the penalty-spot before a single German had touched the ball. Germany drew level, also via a penalty, before 'Der Bomber', Gerd Muller, sealed another host nation victory.
Tunisia did Africa proud in 1978 in Argentina, beating Mexico 3-1 and drawing 0-0 with West Germany, but narrowly failed to advance.
There was a change of format as the second round consisted of two groups of four rather than a knockout. The hosts and Holland topped the groups to set up a pulsating Final, and though the Dutch equalised eight minutes from time to force extra-time, Argentina triumphed 3-1.
WORLD CUP HISTORY;1962-1966

With the finals in sight, they lost to Spain, home and away, both by 1-0. Brazil retained much of the 1958 team, and though Pelé limped out early, they beat England 3-1 in the quarterfinal, Chile 4-2 in the semis and the Czechs 3-1 in the Final.
England 1966 signalled the arrival of football as a truly global game, with 600-million watching the tournament on television or listening on radio.
African and Asian sides withdrew in protest at being allocated only one spot, but the star of the show was an African. Eusebio, born in Mozambique, inspired Portugal to third place.
Brazil had only Pelé and Garrincha left from their victorious 1962 team and did not get through the first round. But the biggest shock of all was North Korea's elimination of Italy.
WORLD CUP HISTORY;1950-1958
After a 12-year break due to the Second World War, Brazil hosted the 1950 event. Again, numerous sides opted out, and with just 13 participants, the format changed, with no Final. Instead, a mini-league of four teams would decide the victor.
Brazil cruised through their group, Uruguay topped theirs, Sweden shocked Italy 3-2 to progress, and Spain completed the quartet ahead of England.
The four-team final group was dominated by Brazil and Uruguay, who were set to play in the last match. Brazil only had to draw with their neighbours to become champions; Uruguay needed to win to claim a second crown. 200 000 fans crammed into the Rio's new Maracana Stadium, but against the odds, Uruguay came from behind to win 2-1.
So to Switzerland in 1954. Hungary were considered the best team in the world and confirmed this by thrashing West Germany 8-3 in the group phase, then beating Brazil 4-2 in a quarterfinal that became known as the 'Battle of Berne' after three players were sent off for fighting.
The Germans had recovered to reach the last four, joined by Uruguay and Austria. Hungary beat the South Americans 4-2 in the semis, while Germany thrashed Austria 6-1.
Hungary, boasting Puskas, Kocsis and Hidegkuti, were clear favourites, and swept into a 2-0 lead after nine minutes of the Final. But the Germans rallied and were soon level. With Puskas limping, Hungary eventually succumbed to a late goal by Rahn, his second.
The 1958 FIFA World Cup is remembered for French striker Just Fontaine's record 13 goals, tiny Wales reaching the last eight, brilliant Brazil's 4-2-4 system and, above all, 17-year-old Pelé. Brazil captured the world's imagination as they swept all aside to win their first world title. They beat France 5-2 in the semifinal and hosts Sweden by the same score in the Final.
1938 FIFA WORLD CUP CHAMPION

On June 19 at the Colombes stadium in Paris, Vittorio Pozzo's Azzurri took to the field with only Hungary standing in their way to repeating as world champions.
When the Italians scored six minutes into the contest through Gino Colaussi, the rout appeared to be on. Pal Titkos levelled the score two minutes later, but the goal proved to be only a brief respite for the Hungarians.
Giovanni Ferrari and Giuseppe Meazza, Italy's dynamic inside-forward partnership, took hold of the game and set up Piola's goal in the 15th minute. Ten minutes before half, Ferrari and Meazza worked their magic again, this time finding the unmarked Colaussi, who netted his second of the game. Hungary's captain Gyorgy Sarosi scored in the 70th minute, but Italy put the game away with 10 minutes left in regulation when Amedeo Biavati back-heeled a pass to Piola, who beat goalkeeper Antal Szabo with a powerful left-footed shot: 4-2 to Italy.
The 1938 World Cup, perhaps more than any tournament, clearly demonstrated the powerful nature of soccer.
Spain was being ripped apart by civil war, Hitler and the Nazis were occupying Austria, and a crisis-ridden Europe was teetering on the brink of World War II. And yet, for 15 days in June, the World Cup beamed a powerful light of hope and friendship through the ominous clouds hovering over the continent.
In the end, France was lauded for its brilliant staging of the competition and Italy retained its title, but they would be denied the chance to win a third consecutive crown - the map of Europe was about to change, and the World Cup would go on a 12-year hiatus.
AND ANOTHER THING: The quarter-final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia on June 12 in Bordeaux was more of a rugby match than a soccer game. A physical encounter from the start, the game quickly boiled over.
Early in the contest, Brazilian defender Zeze hacked down Czech forward Oldrich Nejedly and was immediately expelled by the Hungarian referee. Just before the end of the half, Brazil's Machados exchanged punches with Czechoslovakia's Jan Riha and both were tossed.
By the end of the carnage-marred contest, three players were ejected and five were injured, including Nejedly (broken leg) and teammate Frantisek PlanickaTHE FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL 1934

Italy
First title
The 1934 FIFA World Cup, or the World's
Eight European teams—Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland—advanced to the quarter-finals.
1930 FIFA World Cup
France, Yugoslavia and the United States all undertook friendlies in South America following the competition. Brazil played France on 1 August, Yugoslavia on 10 August and the United States on 17 August, while Argentina hosted Yugoslavia on 3 August