Skilful and physically imposing, Nejedly was a scourge of defenses in the pre-war era, forming a deadly partnership with Antonin Puc that fired Czechoslovakia to the final of the 1934 World Cup in Italy.
Nejedly was the tournament's top scorer with five goals. He was on target against Romania in the first round and then scored the decisive goal in the Czechs' 3-2 win over Switzerland in the last eight. In the semifinals, Nejedly was far too clever for the German defense, collecting a hat trick in a 3-0 win.
Czechoslovakia took the lead against Italy in the final through Puc and threatened to embarrass the home side as they dominated the match. But in the decisive match Nejedly's scoring touch deserted him. The Czechs hit the post and squandered two golden opportunities before Italy equalized with eight minutes left and then grabbed an unlikely 2-1 win in extra time.
Nejedly was back for the 1938 finals in France, but the tournament was again to end in disappointment and anguish. He scored the first goal in a 3-0 extra-time win over the Dutch, but in the second round Czechoslovakia came up against a brutal Brazilian side. Nejedly scored a penalty to earn his side a 1-1 draw, but he was carried off the field with a broken leg in one of the most vicious games in World Cup history. The Czechs lost the replay 2-1 and Nejedly's career never recovered from the injury.
