‘On This Day In…’: Paolo Rossi Banishes His Demons With World Cup Hat-Trick Against Brazil – July 5th, 1982

By Chris Wright

Presenting the first installment of a new, off-season series we'll be featuring semi-regularly on Pies over the summer 'On This Day In...'

Having somehow wriggled his way into Enzo Bearzot's 'final 22′ despite not having played a competitive game for nigh-on two years after getting himself caught up in the 'Totonero' match-fixing scandal in 1980, a palpable wave of derision accompanied Juventus striker Paolo Rossi's inclusion in Italy's 1982 World Cup squad with both the fans and the nation's media pouring scorn on Bearzot for frittering away a place in the squad on a man who was clearly not match-fit.

Read the full article at Who Ate All the Pies.

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