Italy became the first World Cup host to win the tournament in 1934.
The second FIFA World Cup was staged in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934. Unlike the 1930 event, it used a knockout format from the beginning, with 16 teams entering. Italy defeated the United States, Spain, and Austria before reaching the final in Rome.
Italy beat Czechoslovakia 2–1 after extra time at the Stadio Nazionale PNF. Antonín Puč gave Czechoslovakia the lead, but Raimundo Orsi equalized and Angelo Schiavio scored the winning goal in extra time. Vittorio Pozzo coached Italy to the title.
Uruguay had won the first tournament as hosts in 1930, so Italy was not the first host to win any World Cup. Italy was the first host to win the second edition, and the phrase is sometimes incorrectly applied to Uruguay because the earlier tournament is overlooked.