RIP Paolo Rossi

 This Italian will forever be remembered as the star of the 1982 World Cup Soccer who dashed the dream of the Brazil's dream team who was the favorite to win the Cup. The scorer of 6 goals in that World Cup, including his hat trick in the crucial game against Brazil which sealed the fate of the South American Samba team.

The Brazil's soccer team that year managed by the legendary Tele Santana who believed attack is the best method of defense. The star studded Brazilian team with the likes of Zico, Socrates, Falcao breezed into the quarters. The legendary Pele boasted "Playing like this we are going to win the Cup". 

That year, the number of nations qualifying for the World Cup was increased from 16 to 24. Quarterfinals was held in a league format with Argentina (with a promising 21 year old Maradona in their side), Brazil and Italy clubbed together in one group, with one team to qualify for the semifinals. It was dubbed as the group of death. Italy barely qualified to the Quarterfinals, finding itself in a group of previous World Cup Champions and the tournament's favorite team Brazil.

The Samba team defeated Argentina 3-1, Italy defeated Argentina 2-1. Brazil just needed a draw to qualify for the Semifinals and in full form, it seemed to be an easy task for the team.

But Paolo Rossi crashed the Brazilian dream with a hat trick as Italy narrowly won the match 3-2 and later went on to win the Cup. Clearly the marauding Brazilians let their defense down while focusing too much on blitzkrieg and paid the price. Believing too much on attack, the Brazilians left loopholes in their defense for Rossi to capitalize.

Rossi didn't stop there. He netted 2 goals against Poland in Semifinal and it final against Germany netted one more to take their team to an improbable win. He was Italy's national hero overnight.

As a 13 year old I remember following the matches on BBC Radio. There was no TV in Bhubaneswar at that time. Being a fan of Brazil, I was sad too. Many died of heart attack in Brazil and a few committed suicide due to this unexpected loss. 

And today's shocking loss was Paolo Rossi at the age of 64. December turning out to be a bad year for Soccer stars, as Brazil's Socrates the maverick player and a star of 1982 World Cup too died in the month of December. RIP, Paolo Rossi. You will be remembered as synonymous to the Azzuri's (Italian Soccer team) 1982 World Cup win.