From Montevideo to Wembley
1930
After defeating both Belgium and Paraguay 3-0, the USA were favorites to win the first World Cup. But in the semi-final, they faced Argentina. Within ten minutes, stopper Tracy had his leg broken, then keeper Douglas became a near-cripple, and midfielder Auld was kicked in the mouth.
With three walking wounded and no substitutes, the first cosmopolitan 'dream team' were hammered 1-6.
In the final, the players of host nation Uruguay selected their own team, recalling one-armed Castro to attack. He became the first World Cup Legend, scoring Uruguay's first and last goals in the tournament.
Uruguay added the Jules Rimet Trophy to their two Olympic titles, and became the first Official World Champions.
1934
The Austrian "Wunderteam," coached by Hugo Meisl, met favorites Italy in the semi-final. With their revolutionary tactics of playing the ball along the ground (borrowed from Scottish football), Meisl's team was undone by the weather.
Pouring rain made the pitch a quagmire. Italy, helped by a referee intimidated by the fanatical home support, won a propaganda coup for "Il Duce" Mussolini with Europe's first triumph.
The tournament was a financial success and made football a truly world sport.
1938
Two of the most extraordinary football games ever witnessed took place in France, and both involved Brazil, whose hero "The Rubber Man" Leonidas became topscorer with eight goals.
First, Leonidas and Willimowski each scored four goals as Poland was defeated in extra-time, 6-5. Then, seven days later, Beauty turned into Beast, as three players were sent off. Two had a fight, Zeze broke a Czech player's leg, and the Czech keeper played the second half with a broken arm. Final score 1-1. For the last ever World Cup replay, only seven of the original 22 took the field.
Next, Christmas came early for Italy as Brazil rested Leonidas "for the Final" and promptly lost 2-1.
With the outbreak of World War Two, Italy retained the title for a record 16 years.
1950
England took part for the first time. As the favorites, they were promptly humiliated when Haitian-born Larry Gaetjens struck for the USA. Holders Italy had tragically lost eight of their team in the Torino air crash a year before.
Brazil, at home in the newly-built Maracana Stadium, displayed some wonderful attacking football. After victories over Mexico (4-0), Sweden (7-1) and Spain (6-1), they needed only a draw in their final group match with Uruguay to be crowned Champions.
Watched by the largest football crowd ever recorded (199,854), they lost!
1954
For the first time, television cameras were there to record FIFA celebrating its 50th anniversary in Switzerland. West Germany avoided meeting Brazil in the knockout stage by 'resting' seven key players against the Flying Magyars of Hungary, and happily lost 3-8.
They met again in the Final, but this time at full-strength, and Hungary, led by captain Ferenc Puskas and topscorer Raymond Kocsis (11 goals), was defeated for the first time in over four years in the biggest upset ever.
The greatest team ever to have played football had won 28, drawn 4, and scored 154 goals in their previous 32 internationals - an average of FIVE goals per game.
1958
One four-letter name conquered the world, and Brazil revolutionized 'The World Game' as "4-2-4" destroyed all-comers and lifted soccer to new levels of artistry and skill.
Gilmar in goal; the Santos brothers as wing-backs with Bellini and Orlando as stoppers; Zito & Didi in midfield; the final '4' were the greatest attacking force yet seen - Garrincha, Zagalo, Vava and P.E.L.E. With his scoring debut as substitute against Wales in the quarter-final, a hat-trick to finish off Just Fontaine's France, Pele's golden feet won the Final itself.
At the end he had taken three games, six goals, and became Champion of the World at age seventeen.
1962
Chile were given the honor of being hosts following a major earthquake in May 1960 which led the FA President to plea: "We have nothing - that is why we must have the World Cup." For the first time, the world watched Live as a brutal grudge match unfolded.
Following Italian media criticism of Chilean life, the football head-to-head took on a new meaning. When Ferrini retaliated after being scythed from behind, he was sent off, but he refused to leave the pitch until escorted by police.
Later, Chilean Sanchez punched Maschio, breaking his nose, but stayed on. Italian David was then sent off for tackling Sanchez's neck. Afterwards, English referee Aston said the match had been 'uncontrollable.' He had wanted to abandon it, but feared for his own and the players' safety. Meanwhile, Brazil defeated all- comers once again.
1966
Alf Ramsey on becoming manager declared that "England would be world champions in 1966." On the 30th of July that year, the players vindicated his faith in them.
The Wingless Wonders benefited from being hosts in a defensively-oriented tournament enlivened mainly through "The Black Pearl" Eusebio (topscorer with 9 goals) scoring four as Portugal came back from the brink after trailing 3-0 to debutantes North Korea, who had already defeated Italy.
The most talked about goal ever scored in a Final, by hat- trick hero Geoff Hurst, was viewed by half a billion around the world. But did it cross the line?
Tomorrow: From Total Football to Popcorn