Italy survived the opening round on goal difference and then went on to win the trophy for a third time after Brazil bowed out to them in an astonishing match in the second phase. Zico, Socrates, Falcao and Eder could not stop attacking and Brazil paid for it when they lost 3-2 to a Paolo Rossi hat-trick. Italy went on to the final and beat West Germany 3-1. Rossi finished top scorer with six goals.

This World Cup is also remembered for two games that have passed into football lore: Brazil vs Italy and, above all, a certain France vs West Germany semi-final.

FIFA appointed Spain to host the 12th World Cup, which would play host to 24 teams rather than 16, as had been the case previously. Certain alterations were also made in how the tournament was organised, the new format incorporating three distinct phases: a first round with six groups of four teams; a second round with four groups of three teams; and finally the semi-finals and the final. Although 24 teams qualified for the finals, the Netherlands, runner-up in 1974 and 1978, were knocked out in the qualifiers.