Match No. 224 - Saturday, 13th May 1939

  • Amadeo Biavati, 48'
  • Silvio Piola, 64'
    • GK
    • Aldo Olivieri  
    • RB
    • Alfredo Foni  
    • LB
    • Pietri Rava  
    • HB
    • Teobaldo Depetrini  
    • HB
    • Michele Andreolo  
    • HB
    • Ugo Locatelli  
    • OR
    • Amadeo Biavati  
    • IR
    • Pietro Serantoni  
    • CF
    • Silvio Piola  
    • IL
    • Giuseppe Meazza (c) 
    • OL
    • Gino Colaussi  

Notes

  • Match InfoEngland's first game of their European tour which would also see visits to Yugoslvia and Romania.
  • Match InfoThomas Whittaker was nominated as head coach but did not select the team.
  • Controversial GoalMost press sources indicate and newsreel footage suggests that Piola controlled the ball with his hand to score Italy's second goal. Despite protests from the English players, Bauwens consulted with his linesman and gave the goal. According to the Daily Telegraph, Victor Emmanuel III, the Italian Crown Prince was infuriated and demanded that play was stopped so he could talk to Bauwens. He was eventually discouraged from doing so by Stanley Rous.
  • Post MatchDiscussions continued after the full time whistle about Italy's controversial goal. There was "vehement discussion" between the England players and Dr Bauwens. He was described in the English press as being "pro-Mussolini".

Sources

Previous Match

Next Match

Managers

  •  England - Committee
  •  Italy - Vittorio Pozzo

Referee

  •  Dr Peco Bauwens

Attendance

  • 60,000

Half Time Score

  • Italy 0 - 1 England

ELO Rankings

  •  England - 3rd   1
  •  Italy - 1st