History of Brazil in Soccer World Cups - Italy 1934

The second Soccer World Cup was hosted in Italy from the 27th of May to the 10th of June 1934. It was the first World Cup with a qualification stage. 32 teams participated in the qualifying stage and 16 went to the tournament finals. The 16 teams were Italy, USA, Brazil, Spain, Hungary, Egypt, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Netherlands, Switzerland, Argentina, Sweden, Germany and Belgium.

This World Cup had the particularity that it was the only World Cup in history where the cup holders didn't participate. Uruguay declined the invitation to participate for retaliation against European teams lack of participation in the previous edition. Another curious fact is that the hosts Italy had to qualify for the World Cup. Since that on a spot is automatically given to the country hosting the event.

The "Selecção" training on their way to the World Cup

In this World Cup, Brazil ended at the 6th position, while the champions were Italy, defeating Czechoslovakia by 2-1.

The story of Brazil in this World Cup is short as they lost their only game against Spain by 3-1. Leônidas was the scorer of the only goal of Brazil.

Historical instant of the 1934 World Cup: Leônidas kicks the ball into the net, but the Spanish defender, Juan Quincoces, saves the ball with his hand just over the goal line. The German referee, Alfred Birlem, said that he didn't see the play but this image doesn't lie as he was looking at it:

Brazil in action during the tournament:

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Reference: Wikipedia