Cerebralcrap

The first goal of the 1934 World Cup was scored by Belli of Argentina after just three minutes of their match against Sweden in Bologna.

The first African Nation to compete in the World Cup was Egypt. Fawzi scored both their goals in their 2-4 defeat by Hungary in Naples.

The first World Cup tie to go into extra time was between Austria and France when they drew 1-1. Austria’s so called Wunderteam under coach Hugo Meisl, finally emerged winners at 3-2 though they later went down to Italy 0-1 in the semi - finals.

In the final between Italy and Czechs both captians were goal keepers - Giampiero Combi for Italy and Frantisek Planick for the Czechs.

The Highest Capital City - Lhasa (12087 ft. above sea level)

The Largest Church - Basilica of St. Peters, Italy

The Biggest City - London (700 sq.miles)

The Largest Continent - Asia

The Smallest Continent - Australia

In the 1934 World Cup, for the first time qualifying rounds were conducted. From the initial entry of 32 Nations, 16 reached the Finals which were conducted on a knock out basis. Brazil & Argentina travelled 10000 miles to Italy only to be beaten in the first round.

Unlike in 1930, when all the games were played in one centre, Montevideo, 8 venues were used in Italy - Rome, Naples, Milan, Turin, Florence, Bologna, Geneo and Trieste.

It was decided that extra time would be played in the finals in the case of a draw at the end of 90 minutes. If there was still no result then a replay would take place.

In the opening match of 1934, Angelo Schiavo became the first European Player to score a World Cup hat-trick as host Italy beat USA 7-1.

The Largest Bay - The Bay of Bengal

The Biggest Bell - The Great Bell at Moscow

The Biggest Bridge - The Oakland Bridge at SanFransisco

The Longest Railway Bridge - Lower Lambezi Bridge in Africa

The Tallest Building - Sears Tower, Chicago

On June 16, 1938, Italy who are leading 1-0 against Brazil, are awarded a penalty an hour into the match. And it is usually Giuseppe Meazza who takes the kicks. There is a problem this time, however. The elastic on his shorts has snapped and they are almost falling off. Meazza is determined to take the shot. With his left hand he holds them up, with the right he places the ball on the spot and gives the Brazilian goalkeeper no chance. And of course Italy win the game and defend their title in the next match.

Raimondo Orsi, who scored a freak goal in 1938 to help Italy equalise the Czech’s earlier strike, was requested by the paparazzi to duplicate his effort of the previous day. Orsi agreed and made 20 attempts but could not get it right, leaving the photographers unhappy.

The Colossium of Rome

The Great wall of China

Porcelain Tower of Nanking

Stonehenge of England

The Mosque at St. Sophia

Citacombs of Alexandria

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Taj Mahal at Agra

The Temple of Aman at Karnak on the River Nile

Circus Maximus

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The Temple of Diana at Ephesus in Rome.

The Statue of Jupiter at Olympia.

The Mausoleum of Mansoleus, King of Halicarnassus.

The Pyramids of Egypt.

Light House at Alexandria.

The Collosus of the Sun God Helios at Rhodes.

In 1930, Uruguay won the decision to host the first World Cup because they offered to pay the expenses of the competing countries.

A crowd of just 300 watched Peru losing 1 - 3 to Romania in Montevideo. It is the smallest recorded crowd ever at all World cups.

Argentine Guillermo Stabile was the first player to score a hat-trick in the 6 - 3 win over Mexico in 1930. He was awarded 5 penalties but missed three.

The first player to miss from the spot was Fernando Paternoster of Argentina.

The first to score from a penalty was Manuel Rocquetas Rosas of Mexico against Belgium

Four groups of four teams were the playing format used in the 1954 World Cup and FIFA decided for the first time to seed the top two in each group.They were never to meet, therefore each country only played two matches in the group.

Scotland’s first World Cup game ended with 1-0 defeat by Australia in Group 3.

Hungary registered the highest goals total in a World Cup match when they beat South Korea 9-0 in Zurich. They also demolished West Germany 8-3. West Germany saved their strongest team for the play off against Turkey. The plan obviously worked as they won 7-2.

In 1930 teams from Britian could not be considered because they were not members of FIFA. They did not enter the competition until 1950.

Also in 1930, the earlier matches were played on local club local grounds as the main Centenario Stadium was still unfinished. This was not used until the final stages.

In the first World Cup match, France beat Mexico 4 - 1. Lucien Laurent had the distinction of scoring the first World Cup goal.

The first player to be sent off in the tournament was Peru caption Mariode las Casas in a Group 3 match against Romania.

Argentina were the first nation to score 6 goals when they beat Mexico 6 - 3 in 1930. During that game referee Saucedio of Bolivia awarded the first World Cup penalty.

The first referee to officiate in a final was John Langenus of Belgium.

Uruguay refused to defend their title in Italy 1934 as a protest against the European nations’ snubbing of the 1930 Tournament.