France 1938

The 1938 FIFA World Cup in France was the last World Cup before the hiatus caused by World War II, and it was notable for several reasons. First, it continued the format of a knockout competition rather than a group stage, which led to some high-stakes matches. Italy, led by Vittorio Pozzo, retained their title, defeating Hungary 4-2 in the final to become the first team to win consecutive World Cup tournaments. The political backdrop of the era was impossible to ignore, with Italy's triumph under Mussolini's regime leading to propagandist claims, while Austria's team was notably absent due to the country's annexation by Germany earlier that year. The tournament was marked by high-scoring games and the flair of Brazilian striker Leônidas, who finished as the tournament's top scorer.