Martín Marculeta, Real Sociedad pioneer at Mussolini’s World Cup | OneFootball

Martín Marculeta was Real Sociedad’s first World Cup footballer, starting Spain’s 3-1 win over Brazil at Italia 1934 before injury ruled him out of the quarter-final against the hosts.

According to Diario Vasco, the 1934 finals, FIFA’s first in Europe, involved 16 nations and marked Spain’s debut after eliminating Portugal in qualifying.

Marculeta played for Real Sociedad, then called Donostia F.C. during the Republic, and operated as a robust, assured midfielder. He debuted at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, scoring against Mexico, his only goal in 15 caps.

In Genoa on 27 May, Iraragorri put Spain ahead from the spot, Lángara struck twice inside three minutes, and Waldemar de Brito replied for Brazil, with Zamora saving a penalty. Marculeta impressed but was injured.

Italy drew 1-1 in Florence on 31 May, a tie remembered as the Battle of Florence. Regueiro opened the scoring, Ferrari levelled amid protests over a foul on Zamora, and Belgian referee Baert faced Spanish complaints.

With Zamora, Lángara and several others sidelined, plus Marculeta, Spain fielded a patched-up side for the replay, again in Florence. Meazza scored early, Swiss referee Mercet’s decisions and another offside call against Regueiro infuriated Spain, who finished limping.

Italy went on to win the tournament, beating Austria then Czechoslovakia, as Mussolini used the event for propaganda. Marculeta’s absence was keenly felt. He joined Atlético de Madrid that summer for two seasons, later managed Atlético, Real Sociedad, Real Unión and Sporting de Gijón, and died in 1984 aged 77.

Source: Diario Vasco