FIFA – World Cup 1938! A match with endless emotions!

It was 5 o’clock in the afternoon on June 5, 1938, when the referee from Sweden, Ivan Eklind, blew the whistle to start one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the World Cup in Football, held in Strasbourg at the “Stade de la Meinau” stadium. ” which was packed with about 15,000 fans, including a group of a thousand Poles – mostly immigrants, who worked in the coal mines of northern France.

Brazil vs Poland!

There were not many Brazilian fans, and the French were mainly for the team from South America. In the 1930s, Brazil was not considered one of the “Top” teams in the world, although even today it is believed to have been a high-quality team, and this was proven later after the end of this world tournament. in the 3rd place. And it was this performance of theirs that gave the Latin Americans a reputation in future editions. It was interesting that the Polish team gathered in just one week before this match, which is still remembered today as a challenge full of drama. It was a time when football teams all over the world focused mainly on attack and it is not surprising that the Polish team of Kaluza included up to 5 strikers, Wilimowski, Wodarz, Piątek and Scherfke. The midfielders were Góra, Nyc and Dytko, with the defenders…….only Szczepaniak (captain) and Gałecki. Madejski was at the port. It should be mentioned that in 1938, based on a FIFA rule, the substitution of players was not allowed. Very little has been learned from the first goal of the Brazilians by Leonidas da Silva, called the “Black Diamond” in the 18th minute. No description from the press of the time, even those who took part in this match or even those who were witnesses do not even remember it. Anyway, 5 minutes later, here is Ernest Wilimowski, (remember this name) who has tripled three Brazilian defenders and even their goalkeeper Batatais who shoots him. Penalty! Now Scherfke from the penalty spot hit the ball on the right wing, transforming the result into 1-1; It is officially the first goal of the Polish team in the history of world cups in football. The first half, which saw the Poles more defensively, ends with the Brazilians leading 3-1, where, in addition to Leonidas, Romeo and Peracio also scored.

In the second part, it is “another piece of music”, a turning point for Europeans. Tranieri Kaluza called nervously to his players, then it started to rain again. At the same time when the Brazilians are having problems from time to time with the wet field, the Wilimowski “show” begins. Thus, in the 53rd and 59th minutes, the Polish scorer defeated the Brazilian goalkeeper Batatais twice in a row, after a completely individual performance of his, which was described in the press of the time as that of a circus athlete. Draw 3-3! Soon the rain stops, and this seems to give support to the Brazilian side, who jump into the attack and now score in the 71st minute again with Peracio.

4-3!

Is it over?

No, don’t even think about it!

However, one minute before the end of the match, is him Wilimowski, who scores again, the third goal for him and a 4-4, which means extra time, extra time with other thrills. Extra time begins with a dense attack by the Brazilians who score twice in a row, in the 93′ and 104′ minutes, bringing the result to 6-4 and in a way giving a certainty to their qualification for the semi-finals.

The Poles led by a fantastic Wilimowski do not agree and continue to fight. They attack one after the other. In the 118th minute, he hit the ball into the net again, narrowing the score to 6-5. In the last minutes, the Brazilians returned to desperately defend the result. The Poles continue to attack.

Here is Wodarz with a free kick so close…no! Nyc also tries, who hits the crossbar, but the result does not change. The Poles lose 6-5 but enter the history of the World Cup with this dramatic match and with their player Wilimowski who scored 4 goals in one match.

It is said that Leonidas scored the goal in the 93rd minute with his bare foot, whose shoe he had lost a few moments before in the mud of the field created by the heavy and sudden rain. However, the goal was given in favor of the Brazilian who was playing in black socks and the players’ shoes were completely covered by the mud of the field and did not catch the referee’s eye at all.

2016

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Sports Vision +/ The Hour of Champions in activity since 2013
Reference: “Calcio 2000” personal collection.