FIFA WORLD CUP 1930

The Cup opened while the Centenario Stadium was still under construction! Only 4 European countries participated in spite Jules Remit's efforts.

The 1st World cup Dominated by American teams like Brazil, Argentina, U.S.A., Peru, Paraguay, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and powerhouse Uruguay, the host. Altogether, there were 13 nat'l teams participating.

THE STADIUM

After the Uruguay was chosen to host the cup, authorities had to solve the problem of building a stadium. The country was small and many of its 1,900,000 populations facing a unemployment. but the World Cup performed the "MIRACLE" of bringing all these forces together. the game could not be played on field of Nacional Club in Montevideo,nor on Penarol's, in Pocitos. So the government donated section of the battle and Ordones Park to create a "Megastadium" accommodating 80,000 spectators. The work had to be done almost overnight  to ready it for July 10. A daring project designed by architect Juan Scasso and his asst.Domatto. The Stadium was named CENTENARIO, in honor of 100th anniversary of Uruguayan Constitution. When the Cup began the 1st game was not played in the stadium because of the FIELD. it complied with the official size of 110x80 meters. in opening day the field was not considered safe for playing. 

THE CUP

Jules Remit and Maurice Fisher created the format of the CUP. they decided on 4 groups, The winner of each group will play in semifinals and winner will play to the final game for the title. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and U.S. where chosen as the top seeds. U.S got a  talented players like American-Scottish player as Alex Wood, Gallacher, James Brown and MacGhee so they are at top seed. The opening game was on July 13, with a win of France4-1Mexico, U.S.3-0Belgium. The 1st game played in CENETARIO stadium was on July 18, country's national day. It was Uruguayan 1st game, they played against Peru and won 1-0 goal by Castro.Centenario was sold out. 

EXCITING GAME

The two most exciting game were France vs Argentina on July 15 in Parque Central, and Uruguay vs Argentina on July 30 in the Centenario. on France-Argentina game there were 80mins. of classic soccer, Argentineans on offense and French on defense. Monti scored for Argentina, from a free kick. in other side the french down to 10 player, played offensively pushing hard and at 84mins mark the referee whistled to end the game. the field invaded, complaints everywhere and linesman convinced that referee's error. The game continued but the french lost their momentum resulted in 1-0 for Argentina. That's the beginning of Uruguay and Argentineans rivalry, a rivalry that existed since the Olympic games in 1928. both make through the finals, Argentina beat U.S. 6-1 same score of Uruguay against Yugoslavia. The Stage is set for finals, the Argentinean fans try to invade Montevideo, celebration held in streets by defiant fans. It was so intense even the referee John Langenus received a special protection. 90,000 spectators watch the historic final of the 1st  World Cup.

Captain Nazassi & Ferreira (Uruguay and Argentina)

1st half, before the game there was a big discussion about the ball should be used. In the end Langenus the referee decided that there would be different one in each team. The game begin with Uruguay on attack. 12mins mark, the score was 1-0, goal by Pablo Dorado. the Centenario went wild. but Argentineans, were not frustrated. they controlled the field and at 20 min, they tied the score, a goal from Carlos Peucelle. later Guillermo Stabile scored for Argentina, the score made him the leading scorer in the 1st World Cup. 1st half ended in 2-1. the Centenario was silent.

  

2nd half, the referee disallowed the goal when Uruguayans put the ball in the net through Nazassi. But Pedro Cea's equalizing goal in 12min. did count. The silence exploded. From then on it became increasingly difficult for Argentinean. Uruguay  scored 3-2, following a spectacular team play in the 68min. then Hector Castro scored 4-2. that's the end. everyone went wild, chants were sung. fireworks went off and festivities started.

Awarding, Uruguay president , Dr. Cimpistegui, standing next to Jules Remit look on as Jose Nazassi, Uruguay team captain, received the "Winged Golden Goddess" trophy on behalf of victor of 1st World Cup. People paraded and celebrated, ship blew their horns.  The event had been success. It was also a financial success, with profits equal to $225,000 today, allowing Uruguayans to pay all their expenses. The WORLD CUP begun, to the light of all soccer fans.

Uruguay National Team

Argentina National Team

Participating country: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Belgium, Chile, United States, France, Yugoslavia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania and Uruguay.

Semifinalist: Argentina, Yugoslavia, Uruguay, United States 

Guillermo Stabile, 1930 World Cup Top Scorer

Top Scorer

• 8goals - Stabile(Argentina), 
• 5goals - Cea(Uruguay), 
• 4goals - Subiabre(Chile),  
• 3goals - Bek(Yugoslavia),Peucelle(Argentina, Preguinho(Brazil),Anselmo(Uruguay) and Patenaude(U.S) 
• 2goals - Monti and Varallo(Argentina), Moderato(Brazil), Staucin(Romania), Castro, Dorado and Iriarte(Uruguay), Maschinot(France) and McGhee(U.S), 
• 1goal - Florie and Brown(U.S), Laurent and Langiller(France), Carreño, F.Rosas, Lopez and M.Rosas(Mexico), Tirnanic, Maraniovic and Vujadinovic(Yugoslavia), Souza(Peru), Barbu(Romania), Vidal(Chile), Zumelso, Evaristo and Scopelli(Argentina), Pena(Paraguay), Scarone(Uruguay) and Seculic(Yugoslavia)
• Total 70 GOALS  

Castro from Uruguay playing with 1 arm

Opening Ceremony