After taking power in Italy in the 1920s, fascist leader Benito Mussolini embraced sports as a political tool.

That was evident at both the 1934 and 1938 World Cups — both won by Italy.

According to many sources the tournament was marred by corruption and considerable outside interference by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who used the tournament as a propaganda tool for fascism, and multiple investigations they would have discovered that Mussolini personally selected referees for the matches where the Italian national team were playing, and that the Italian government had meddled in FIFA’s organisation of events, re-organizing the logistics of the matches to further promote fascism.

The scene at the Stadio Del PNF during the 1934 World Cup Final World Cup Final between Italy and Czechoslovakia. Photo: FIFA

However, nothing accused has been concretely proven.

This was the first edition held in Europe and for the first-time teams had to qualify to take part. Thirty-two nations entered the competition, and after qualification, 16 teams participated in the finals tournament.

Reigning champions Uruguay refused to participate due to the fact that just four European teams had accepted their invitation to the 1930 tournament.

1934 FIFA World Cup Italy™ Official Poster. Photo: FIFA

As a result, the 1934 World Cup is the only one in which the reigning champions did not participate.

The British Home Nations, in a period of self-imposed exile from FIFA, also refused to participate, even though FIFA had offered England and Scotland direct entry to the tournament without qualification.

The competition was played on a knock Out basis and for the only time in World Cup history, the last eight consisted entirely of European teams Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Italian goalkeeper and captain Combi shakes hands with Czechoslovakian goalkeeper and captain Planicka before the 1934 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and Czechoslovakia. Rome, 10th June, 1934. Photo: FIFA

All four non-European teams who made the journey to Italy were eliminated after one match.

In the quarter-finals, the first replayed match in World Cup history took place, when Italy and Spain drew 1–1 after extra time.

The match excessively rough with several players of both sides injured: Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora in the first match, leaving him unable to participate in the replay, while on the other Italian Mario Pizziolo broke his and never played again for Italy.

Italian coach Vittorio Pozzo is helf aloft after his team defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 to win the World Cup final at the Fascist National Party Stadium in Rome. Photo: AP

After winning the replay 1-0, the Azzurri went on to beat Austria in the semi-finals by the same score to meet Czechoslovakia in the final.

The Czechs secured their place in the final by beating Germany 3–1.

The Stadium of the National Fascist Party was the venue for the final. With 80 minutes played, the Czechoslovaks led 1–0 with a Puc goal.

The Italians managed to score before the final whistle through Orsi, and then Schiavio added another goal in extra time to be crowned World Cup winners.