The first three World Cups laid the foundations of the world's biggest football tournament – and Czechoslovakia played a leading role in them.
Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930, with only 13 teams taking part. The iconic Estadio Centenario, built for 90,000 spectators, was completed five days after the tournament began. The hosts beat Argentina 4–2 in the final on 30 July in front of more than 68,000 fans, and Guillermo Stábile was top scorer with eight goals. Four years later in Italy, Czechoslovakia with goalkeeper František Plánička reached the final, losing 2–1 to the hosts in Rome after extra time; Antonín Puč scored the Czechoslovak goal. At France 1938, Czechoslovakia went out in the quarter-finals, losing a replay to Brazil 2–1.
Key facts
- 1930 Uruguay: 13 teams, Uruguay won (4–2 v Argentina)
- 1934 Italy: Czechoslovakia runners-up, final 10 June 1934 in Rome, 1–2 a.e.t.
- 1938 France: Czechoslovakia lost a quarter-final replay to Brazil 1–2
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