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Rossi's hat trick against Brazil transformed Italy's flagging fortunes in 1982. Allsport UK/Allsport |
Paolo Rossi's promising debut at the World Cup in 1978, where he scored three times as Italy finished fourth, was overshadowed in 1980 by a three-year ban for alleged matchfixing.
But Italian coach Enzo Bearzot remained a huge admirer of Rossi's skills as a penalty area predator, and when the Juve striker's ban was conveniently reduced to two years in the run-up to the 1982 World Cup, he had no doubts about taking Rossi to Spain.
Bearzot's gamble almost backfired spectacularly. Rossi was well short of match fitness and failed to score as Italy was held to draws by Poland, Peru and Cameroon and only advanced by virtue of having scored one more goal than the African side.
With the Italian press screaming for Rossi to be dropped, Bearzot stood by his man. A 2-1 win over world champion Argentina earned him some breathing space and then, against favorite Brazil, Rossi exploded into life.
After heading the Italians ahead after five minutes, Rossi took advantage of a defensive mistake to claim his second. Brazil, needing only a draw to reach the semifinals, equalized twice in a classic duel between South American skill and European pragmatism. But with 15 minutes left Rossi pounced on a loose ball to claim his hat trick and seal a 3-2 win.
With his confidence restored, Rossi poached two more close-range efforts to beat Poland 2-0 in the semifinals, and his headed goal set the Italians on course to a 3-1 win over West Germany in the final.
Rossi's six goals earned him the golden boot and later the European Player of the Year award. Italy's "prodigal son" had silenced his critics once and for all.
