1950 World Cup: The Miracle On Grass

The World Cup is football's premier international tournament, it provides us with quality, shocks and some of the greatest players and teams to have graced the game. Today, two nations almost always qualify for the main draw - England and the United States. Despite the "Special Friendship" both nations now adorn, history tells us of many battles between the countries, be it The American War of Independence, the War of 1812 or the 1950 World Cup. 

To fully understand the amazing story of the United States in 1950 is to look into just where, in footballing standards they were in the mid twentieth-century. The answer? Way off. The US team for a start was made up of part-time players, hastily assembled by Scottish manager William Jeffrey. The 1950 World Cup, held in Brazil, was the first major tournament following the Second World War, and despite America emerging as the main global superpower after the conflict, their soccer team was in no place to match their countries wider aspirations. The group-stage draw pitted them against England, the "masters of football", who despite being regarded by many as the world's finest team was playing in their first World Cup.

England had long been regarded as the country to beat prior to the World Cup and although never featuring in any of the three previous tournaments where still believed to be the superior footballing nation. The 1934 "Battle of Highbury" was highlighted by many journalists as the real World Cup Final of the 30s, a battle which England won 3-2. Walter Winterbottom's side consisted of many global superstars like Stan Mortensen, Tom Finney and Billy Wright, all of which played in the Football League - the contemporary leading example in all things to do with the beautiful game.

England vs USA rarely disappoints (Unless you are Rob Green)

The World Cup in 1950 was to be held in Brazil, a nation which had attended every tournament previous. Alongside England, the US and the hosts were teams from South America, Asia and of course Europe. The competition was originally to cater for 16 teams, however four of the teams withdrew before a ball was kicked - India, Turkey, France and Scotland. The Scottish National Team had, before the tournament, stated that only victory in the United Kingdom's Home Championships would be enough to see them qualify, despite FIFA allowing two British representatives. The decision was made by SFA chairman George Graham much to the dislike of the Scottish team members like captain George Young.

"Unfortunately the SFA supremo of the day, George Graham, believed in the purity of sport. Scotland could only go to the World Cup if they went as champions. Second place was not good enough." - Scottish Football Blog

Like Scotland, Turkey had also withdrawn from the tournament before competition had begun, mainly due to economic difficulties brought upon by the financial demands of competing. However unlike the Turkish and Scots, India only ceded their place at the World Cup close to the start due to monetary issues of their own. Despite this being the official reason given by the Indian FA, it has also become apparent that the lack of the sub-continent in Brazil was down to a 1948 FIFA ruling against the Indians playing matches barefoot. Further notable absentees can be found with Germany and Japan, both still widely disliked following the Second World War and not yet being permitted as members of football's governing body.

Scotland, 1950

The group stage of the 1950 World Cup was one of many surprises. Of course the Miracle Match between the two nations this article is centered around being the major upset of the tournament. However, firstly it is interesting to see the shocks elsewhere. The Italian National Team went into the draw as double defending champions and boasting a record of won eight, lost none. Their first group game was against fellow Europeans Sweden, a nation with a surprisingly rich footballing history. Sweden had entered the two previous tournaments, coming fourth in 1938, before winning the 1948 Olympics. Despite the Swedes fielding a team of amateurs against the Italians (the Swedish FA had banned the use of professionals) they ran out winners 3-2 much to many peoples surprise.

USA vs England, 29 June 1950, Estadio Independencia, Belo Horizonte

Stan Mortensen

The stage was set for an England whitewash of their American counterparts in front of just over 10,000 people in south-east Brazil. The English entered the game on the back of a Stan Mortensen inspired 2-0 victory over Chile, whereas the US had been dismantled 3-1 by three late Spanish strikes, the latest of which scored by Bilbao and La Liga legend Telmo Zarra. Walter Winterbottom's side had lined-up with a more or less full strength team, only missing Stanley Matthews, who although available had not played in England's three previous games and was being saved for future ties. The United States on the other hand entered the stadium with as aforementioned a team of predominately part-time footballers with some members from as far as Haiti and not technically US citizens.

"We have no chance...[we are] sheep ready to be slaughtered." - US Coach Bill Jeffrey

The early moments of the match were dominated by, as expected, England. American goalkeeper Frank Borghi had faced six shots after just twelve minutes - two of which had hit the woodwork. Borghi continued to make numerous world-class saves for the rest of the first half until the 37th minute where the impossible happened. Despite only registering one previous shot on goal, a long ranged effort from US midfielder Walter Bahr was deflected into the back of the net by a diving header from forward Joe Gaetjens to send the crowd into raptures.

England were rightly stunned and their performance dipped well into the second half before beginning to show signs of recovery on the hour mark. The rest of the game was a battle between the English forwards and Frank Borghi - Mortensen, Tom Finney and Wolves forward Jimmy Mullen all having attempt at goal, Mullen's appearing to some to have crossed the line, only for any protests to be waved away by the Italian official Generoso Datillo. There would be no repeat of the Spanish match for the USA as England couldn't muster a late goal, let alone three. England were defeated and America had pulled off the greatest shock of any World Cup before 1950.

Joe Gaetjens (centre) celebrates

The match in Belo Horizonte marks a surprise for players and fans alike. The biggest shock however lies within the US media, where only one journalist from the entire nation had gone to the World Cup. Dent McSkimming's report appearing as the only contemporary article about the match in America. The British media also unusually wrote little on the encounter, mainly due to the English Cricket Team's defeat to the West Indies and the minor importance of sport in UK newspapers.

“The game was purgatory to watch from the stands, come the final whistle, I thanked my lucky stars I hadn’t been part of it.” - Stanley Matthews

Following the game the rest of the tournament would prove fruitless for England. the team, captained by Billy Wright losing its final group game to Spain 1-0 and prompting a realisation that maybe England were not the "Kings of Football" they thought they were, a notion ruthlessly demonstrated by Hungary's Magical Magyars in 1953 and mirroring the plight of Britain on the wider global stage. The Americans were defeated 5-2 in their final game by Chile, but left the tournament with their heads held high, however football in North America would not continue to develop as further qualification for the World Cup would not happen again for another forty years until Italia '90. The 1950 World Cup was to be won by Uruguay in front of a record (still to this day) 199,854 people in Rio de Janiero's Marcana stadium, much to the delight of the Uruguayans and to the despair of hosts (and favourites) Brazil.

"the overwhelming majority was Brazilians, but they rooted for us the entire time. We didn't realize why until after. They [were] hoping we would beat England and that Brazil would not have to play England in the final game." - Walter Bahr

However, despite journalistic naivety in 1950, the game has since gone on to be regarded as arguably the greatest shock in international footballing history. Of course many matches come close, The Miracle of Bern Greece's Euro 2004 and even the 1950 final to name a few, but as the BBC stated in 2010, "It is still the sporting surprise against which all other sporting surprises should be measured." People still write about the Miracle on Grass today (so named in response to the 1980 Winter Olympics "Miracle on Ice"), as just four days ago the Telegraph provided an article on the fall from grace of England at the tournament, labeling the defeat as "catastrophic" and "beleaguered". In American popular culture the game has even been dramatized into a movie starring Scotsman Gerard Butler. However, I, for one see the early 1950 exit as something of a blessing in disguise for England as without defeat in Brazil and later by Hungary, it is unlikely English football would have looked to re-imagine, rethink and reorganize the game. If it was not for defeat in 1950 would we have seen victory in 1966? I think not!

Thank you 1950?

"Sitting watching was agonising. We could have played for hours and not scored. It was a bad ground, the Americans fought and chased, our rhythm eventually went. We felt we had let everybody down at home." - David Miller

"I did feel for them...for us, it was a victory and we were gonna get our recognition. But how were they going to explain losing that game back home? It was going to haunt them for years. And there was no answer to it." - Bahr

Pictures courtesy of: Daily Mail, Historical Kits, Soccerlens, ESPNFC, Getty

By: Unknown On 19.01

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1998 World Cup: A French Dream team

France was awarded the 1998 World Cup on 2 July 1992 by the executive committee of FIFA. They won against Morocco by 12 votes to 7. Being the host nation, the French had heaps of pressure on their shoulders to deliver a good World Cup. The tournament needed to be well organised and an excellent spectacle for the world. 

Thankfully, there were numerous highlights and talking points in the 1998 World Cup. A few of people’s favourite goals were Michael Owen burst on to the world stage with his wonderful solo goal against Argentina. Another magical moment came in the opening game of Group D where Nigeria stunned Spain by coming from 2-1 down to win the game 3-2. Sunday Oliseh’s thunderous strike was a goal fit to win any match. Under the sweltering sun in Marseille and late on in a World Cup quarter final you wouldn’t be wrong thinking that both body and mind were tiring. However, this was not the case for Dennis Bergkamp as he showed why he was one of the best strikers to have played the game with his controlled and composed finish against Argentina.

A negative from England’s perspective was David Beckham’s red card against Argentina, which people blamed heavily for England’s exit. There were unsavoury images all around the country afterwards as people vilified Beckham for the defeat.

It was also important that France had a successful World Cup campaign. They had before managed to finish 3^rd in the 1958 and 1986 World Cups and also came 4^th in the 1982 World Cup. The French needed to at least match these previous results in order to maintain interest from the host fans who were not as football-mad as some countries. Luckily for France they had one of the best teams going. Littered with a whole range of stellar names they impressed and performed, going all the way to the final and in fact winning!

Fabian Barthez, the somewhat erratic but equally brilliant goalkeeper was solid at the back conceding just two goals in the whole competition. For his performances he picked up the Yashin Award or the Golden Glove as it is now known.

The French defence of were strong and commanding, aiding the low goals against tally. The regular foursome of Lilian Thuram. Marcel Desailly, Laurent Blanc and Bixente Lizarazu were outstanding. The defenders also contributed to the French goals for total with Thuram, Blanc and Lizarazu all scoring. Right back Lilian Thuram in particular was a star for the team, scoring two vital goals in the 2-1 semi final versus Croatia. He won the Bronze Ball finishing as the third best player in the tournament. Even Frank Lebœuf, who stepped in for a suspended Laurent Blanc in the final, was flawless and helped to stop Brazil scoring. Vincent Candela often fell behind Lizarazu in the squad selection for France but he still played his part as a member of team. He was selected for Les Bleus in the final Group game against Denmark.

A midfield that rotated a number of times proved to be key. Bernard Diomède, Robert Pirès and Alain Boghossian played their roles at various points during the campaign. A young Patrick Vieira also got a run out in the final Group match against Denmark and as a substitute in the final. But it was the quartet of Christian Karembeu, Didier Deschamps, Emmanuel Petit, and of course the phenomenal Zinedine Zidane who were imperious throughout.

Zidane was just coming to the forefront of his career playing for Juventus in Italy he was a hugely influential player for both club and country. Despite his red card in the Group match against Saudi Arabia he went on to help his country to victory. He scored on the biggest stage netting two goals in the World Cup Final and instantly became a hero around France helping massively to clinch the nation’s victory.

France’s attack included Youri Djorkaeff, Christophe Dugarry and Stéphane Guivarc'h. There were also young and upcoming 20 year olds David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry who scored one goal and three goals respectively during the tournament.

The team was celebrated as an important example of the modern multicultural French ideal. Of the 23 players on the team, the squad included players who could trace their roots to Armenia, Algeria, Guadeloupe, New Caledonia, Argentina, Ghana, Senegal, Italy, French Guyana, Portugal and Martinique.

Man of the hour

France qualified from the Group Stage with maximum points from their three opening games. They cruised the first two games, first beating South Africa 3-0 and secondly Saudi Arabia 4-0. There was a somewhat stiffer test in the last Group match against Denmark. It was in this game France conceded their first goal of the competition, albeit a penalty, but they went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to a second half strike from Emmanuel Petit. Their Group stage success was soured when Zidane was sent off for a stamp on a Saudi Arabian player. He missed the final Group C game against Denmark and also the narrow 1-0 extra time victory over Paraguay. He returned for France’s 4-3 quarter final penalty success against Italy in which he scored the first penalty.

Up next was the semi-final against Croatia and it was time for Lilian Thuram to leave his mark on the tournament. After Davor Suker had opened the by scoring just after half time for the Croatians, Thuram turned the game on its head. He scored a well taken goal a minute after Suker’s and then in the 63^rd minute curled a wonderful left footed shot in to the bottom corner of the net. He had given France the ascendancy and they went on to win the match and qualify for the final! Despite Laurent Blanc’s unfair red card leaving a slight dampener come the end of the game, the result called for celebration around the country as French people dared to dream about the possibility of winning their first ever World Cup on home soil.

And so, at 2100 local time on 12^th July 1998 the World Cup Final kicked off it was Brazil vs France. France stunned the rest of the world brushing aside Brazil 3-0! Zidane scored two nearly identical headed goals from opposite corner kicks to give the host nation a 2-0 lead at half time. The second half was about securing the victory and they kept Brazil at bay. Marcel Desailly was sent off for a second bookable offence meaning ‘Les Bleus’ had to see out the game with 10 men! They managed to do so fairly comfortably and even managed to sneak a third goal as Patrick Vieira sent his Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Petit through on goal to round off an historic victory for a French team that reflected the multi-racial mix of their country.

Another shock in the final was Brazilian superstriker Ronaldo. He had provided many memorable moments during the tournament but cut a forlorn figure in the Final against France. He was suffering from the effects of a convulsive fit the night before. However, as Brazil’s main hope he played the match. After initially being left out of the team sheet and in spite of his physical state, 72 minutes before kick-off it was stated that he was going to play. Unfortunately, he collided with the French goalkeeper Fabian Barthez and suffered damage to his already slightly unstable knee.  He couldn’t perform to the ability he was capable of. He had an opportunity to reduce the score to 2-1 but missed his chance in the second half. It was a sad day for Brazilian football and also for the footballing world. Following the game, questions were raised whether he should’ve played at all. Despite all this he still received the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He would later go on to redeem himself scoring 8 goals and picking up the Silver Ball on the way to winning the World Cup with Brazil in the 2002 campaign.

For France it was the start of a great few years. They went in to the 2000 European Championships as many people’s favourites. The brilliant Zidane reaching his peak and the young stars of the 1998 World Cup were now turning in to world-class players too. France won the tournament thanks to David Trezeguet’s golden goal in the final against Italy.

However, it wasn’t always going to be highs for the French national team. They were brought crashing down to earth in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup against Senegal. They finished the tournament goalless and bottom of the table. It was the worst performance of a defending champion in the history of the tournament!

As a whole the 1998 World Cup was a great exhibition for all. The quality of both the football played and the goals scored was outstanding. Headlines were made and stars were born! The success of France at this World Cup must not be forgotten. They had one of the best ever all-round squads, young players and senior players all played their roles. They were the best team and deserved winners on the day. For a nation that wasn’t so football-crazy, there were celebrations all over the country for weeks to come. This quotation from Aimé Jacquet says it all: "There was that great feeling of a shared moment spreading through the public and not just among football fans - the whole of France took to the streets."

By: Unknown On 11.28

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1958 World Cup: Wales' Finest Hour

Welsh 1958 XI

Rugby. The one sport which dominates Welsh life and sporting culture. The recent success of the Welsh team captained by Sam Warburton to the World Cup semi-finals and two consecutive Six Nations has promoted the Celtic nation to a global scale. However, despite this, perhaps Wales' greatest sporting success story lies within the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. In a tournament where all four home nations qualified, the Welsh story and run to the quarter-finals remains the most intriguing.


The 1958 World Cup provides the United Kingdom with quite an anomaly, as all four home nations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) qualified for the final draw in Sweden. Amongst the British contingent was holders West Germany, twice winners Uruguay and favourites, the 1950 runners-up, Brazil with seventeen year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé at the forefront of their plans for global victory.

England had qualified for the World Cup twice before, in the 1950 and '54 tournaments, losing famously to the United States in the former before defeat at the hands of reigning champions Uruguay in 1954 a year after their 6-3 and 7-1 drubbings at the hands of Ferenc Puskas' Hungary. Scotland had also qualified in 1954 only to be comprehensively beaten 5-0 by again Uruguay in a group stage in which they failed to gain a point. Northern Ireland were also competing in their first World Cup finals following topping a group containing Italy and Portugal.

USA 1-0 England

However, it is the Welsh story which offers us the most interesting accumulation of events in 1958 which is still to this date (2013) the only World Cup they have ever qualified for. The national side in the late 50s found success due to its frontline of Ivor Allchurch, PSV Eindhoven's Trevor Ford and Juventus star John Charles, the latter nicknamed "Il Gigante Buono" or "The Gentle Giant" due his large physique and the fact he never received a booking. Managed by Jimmy Murphy, the squad has since become known as the "Golden Generation" of Welsh football.

As far as qualifying was concerned the Welsh road to Sweden has to be one of the most unusual in living memory. Following a second place finish to Czechoslovakia in Group 4, a campaign which included a 4-1 thrashing of East Germany, the Welsh looked to have missed out on qualifying. However, Middle-Eastern tensions meant Sudan, Indonesia and Egypt were reluctant to play Israel following the Suez Crisis - Israel were awarded the title of "Group Winners" by default. From the European nations lots were drawn to determine who would play Israel in a play-off. Belgium were drawn initially only to refuse participation, in doing so leaving FIFA with Wales as the next eligible nation. The Welsh won the two-legged tie 4-0 and qualified for their maiden World Cup. - (How the teams qualified)

John Charles

The group stages saw Wales drawn in a tricky collection of teams including 1954 runners-up Hungary, albeit without Puskas, Kocsis or Czibor due to the fallout of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. Hosts and eventual finalists Sweden and CONCACAF qualifiers Mexico completed the four-team table. Jimmy Murphy's side would record respectable draws against all three nations, although almost defeating the Mexicans but for an 89th minute Jaime Belmonte goal cancelling out Allchurch's opener. Wales three-point led to a tie for second place with Hungary meaning another play-off would have be played to determine who would reach the quarter finals.

The other British nations had mixed fortunes in Scandinavia. Northern Ireland progressed to the last 8 after a play-of victory over Czechoslovakia, whilst England and Scotland both exited at the group stage. England drawn alongside Brazil, USSR and Austria lost out via the play-offs to the Soviet Union, but managed to play out the first ever goalless draw in World Cup finals history, 0-0 with a Vava inspired Brazil. Scotland only managed a point from a group containing a French side offering the likes of Madrid's Raymond Kopa and Stade Reims' Moroccan-born Just Fontaine who went on to score 13 goals at the finals, a record to this day.

Just Fontaine

However, the Welsh play-off victory against Hungary would go down as the greatest in Welsh football history to that date, only being perhaps trumped by the 2-1 victory over Italy in 2002. The Eastern European side were as aforementioned, a side missing the flair of Puskas and Kocsis, but still boasted the "Magical Magyars Nandor Hidegkuti, Joszef Boszik and goalkeeper Gyula Grosics. Despite Lajos Tichy 33rd-minute opener, Wales hit back through first Allchurch, before Terry Medwin scored the pivotal goal which turned out to be the winner 17 minutes from time to provide the 1958 World Cup with one of its greatest ever shocks.


Brazil would meet the Welsh in the quarter-finals in front of 25,000 at the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg. Brazil had entered the World Cup seeking to collect the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time, having gone so close in 1950 before losing to Uruguay at the Maracana. The previous World Cup saw them lose to the Might Magyars 4-2 in a violent affair dubbed at the time, "The Battle of Bern." At the front of the South-American's attack was the 17-year-old Pelé who was yet to score at the tournament. Vava had been stealing the limelight scoring 2 goals against the USSR in the group stages.

Wales entered the game as huge underdogs, with Brazil expected to roll over the side depleted of their star man John Charles through injury. It was Pelé who would score the only goal of the game, his first internationally, becoming the youngest ever World Cup scorer in the process. The goal came in the 66th minute, around the same time Northern Ireland were found 4-0 down to Fontaine's France. After the game Jimmy Murphy was recalled as saying "with John Charles in the side we might have won".

Pelé takes on the Welsh

Since the 1958 quarter-final much has been said of the time "Pelé broke our hearts" before his Brazil side emerged as the overall victors, beating Sweden 5-2 in the final. The Encyclopedia of World Football has described the Welsh World Cup performance as "heroic" and "unlucky" due to the loss of Il Gigante Buono, John Charles. Unfortunately Wales have yet to repeat the 1958 heroics and earn a spot at a major tournament, last coming close in 2003 for the following year's European Championships, when Vadim Evseev broke Welsh hearts again in a controversial two legged tie with Russia.

Despite near misses in 2003 as well as twenty-six years previous when Joe Jordan's "handiwork" resulted in a 1-0 victory for Scotland at Anfield before the 1978 World Cup, the future for Welsh football looks bright. Cardiff City have recently joined Capital One Cup winners Swansea in England's top flight whereas Newport County have reached the Football League for the first time 25 years. The national team has also began to show signs of re-emergence following the arrival of Chris Coleman after Gary Speed's tragic passing. The back-to-back victories over Scotland have breathed new fire into the Welsh team and with an array of talent including PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Liverpool's Joe Allen it is surely only a matter of time before the heroics of 1958 are repeated!

The Future's Bright!

By: Unknown On 09.45

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2002 World Cup: David Beckham's Sapporo Salvation

What a difference a year or several years can make. David Beckham's breakthrough in to Manchester United's first team came in the 1996-97 season. On the opening day of the Premier League season he scored his world famous halfway line goal against Wimbledon. He played a key role as Manchester United retained the Premier League. That season Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. He then picked up the number historic 7 shirt for the following season after Eric Cantona had retired.

His England career began on the 1st September 1996 against Moldova. He was involved in the qualifying campaign for the France 1998 World Cup. However, because Glenn Hoddle thought he wasn’t concentrating on the tournament, he didn't start for the first two matches in France. The 3rd match against Colombia saw him start and scored his first goal for England.

Unfortunately, he became the scapegoat for England's Quarter Final penalty defeat to Argentina. After England’s exit from the tournament he received horrendous abuse and threats. Furthermore, at many away grounds the next season he was subject to taunts from the home fans. 

However, he went on to play a key role in helping Manchester United win the treble the following domestic season (1998-99). People began to forget he 'had cost England the World Cup Trophy'. Certainly the United fans would have forgotten about it!

Regrettably, some England fans hadn't forgotten about the 1998 Quarter Final incident and he received abuse at the Euro 2000 match in which England lost to Portugal. He stuck up his middle finger to those fans insulting him. An action which then manager Kevin Keegan defended because of the horrible nature of the taunts. Many newspapers that had once encouraged the vilification of Beckham now called for an end to the abuse.

In November 2000 he received a call from Peter Taylor appointing him captain for a friendly match against Italy. Beckham thrived in this role and despite a defeat; he impressed people with his leadership skills. He also managed to keep his head after Gennaro Gattuso tried to wind him up all game. This was a massive sign that he had matured since the 1998 World Cup. When Sven-Göran Eriksson was appointed England manager he decided to keep him as captain. A decision that Beckham repaid with vital goals and assists in the qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea & Japan. THAT goal against Greece is famous all over the world. He was a national hero securing automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup in such dramatic fashion. He was now lauded over and all thoughts of St. Etienne in 1998 seemed to have evaporated.

THAT Goal v Greece

Leading up to the 2002 competition he was seen as an important player for England's chances of success in Japan and South Korea, just like any captain would be. There was devastation around the country after he was carried off injured with the infamous metatarsal injury that went on to haunt England players. I can never forgive Aldo Duscher for that tackle. He cost England the World Cup!

Beckham wasn't 100% fit but we needed him and he was on the plane to the World Cup, just about making it in time. Though not near full fitness he stepped up. In the opening match for England, he set up Sol Campbell's goal against Sweden. The second game against Argentina was hyped up to be a great game. And boy it was. The Sapporo Dome stadium was an incredible venue for England's and Beckham's chance to rewrite the wrongs of tournaments passed. When Michael Owen was felled in the penalty area by Mauricio Pochettino England had a huge chance. Beckham put the ball down and was extremely focused on the task ahead. It was his opportunity to put the memories of 1998 firmly behind him and he delivered! England played some great football and, thanks to a wonderful David Seaman save, went on to win the game.

Sweet Revenge

Sadly, a Quarter Final defeat to Brazil put them out of the competition. Nonetheless after the game Beckham showed us once again why he was the man for the captaincy when he consoled the devastated players. People had seemed to forget that he was 'to blame' for the defeat in 1998.

His successes with Manchester United and frequent contributions to goals for the national team had restored the belief from fans. The wonder-goal against Greece had cleared a lot of people's negativity towards him and his penalty against Argentina showed how far he'd come mentally. People loved him for his football and his leadership. 
He came through such adversity and torment changing his career for the best. Inspirational! He will always be my boyhood hero and favourite footballer. David Beckham was a top player with a wand of a right foot, a great professional and a brilliant advocate for the game. 

By: Unknown On 07.43

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1930 World Cup: Where It All Began

The First World Cup Poster

1930 - Gandhi’s Salt March took place, Pluto was discovered, Stalin began collectivization in the USSR, England scored 849 against the West Indies in the cricket but perhaps for us the most significant event took place between 13th July-30th July... The inaugural FIFA World Cup!

 Pre-1930 FIFA had been involved in the organisation of the Olympic football tournaments albeit on an amateur level. The 1924 Paris Olympics were won by Uruguay as the first time since their founding in 1904 did FIFA have the international championships they were seeking. 40,000 fans attended the final but it was not widely participated in with British associations in particular unhappy at the strict rules on amateurs. The 1928 Olympics was held in Amsterdam where the Uruguayans retained their gold medals but now FIFA flirted with the idea of a full tournament in 1930. The candidates for host were Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay but at a time of economic collapse (with the Wall Street Crash around the corner in 1929), Uruguay were the only federation willing to pay travel cost, accommodation and build a new stadium. This coincided with the country celebrating it’s centenary the same year so the decision was made, Uruguay would have the honour.

 The tournament would be played in the capital city, Montevideo and 7 South American teams along with Mexico and USA signed up. However, European teams were deterred by the mammoth boat journey and 2/3 months away from home lives. By sailing day on 22nd June 3 teams joined FIFA President Jules Rimet on the SS Conte Verde leaving Barcelona. France, Belgium and Romania travelled together with a stop in Rio De Janeiro and Santos to pick up (according to the FIFA website) Brazil, bananas, oranges and pineapples! Yugoslavia were the fourth European side making 13 in all and when everyone had arrived by 4th July 1930 the draw was made.

Group 1	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Argentina	3	3	0	0	10	4	+6	6
Chile	3	2	0	1	5	3	+2	4
France	3	1	0	2	4	3	+1	2
Mexico	3	0	0	3	4	13	-9	0

Group 2	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Yugoslavia	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	4
Brazil	2	1	0	1	5	2	+3	2
Bolivia	2	0	0	2	0	8	-8	0

Group 3	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Uruguay	2	2	0	0	5	0	+5	4
Romania	2	1	0	1	3	5	-2	2
Peru	2	0	0	2	1	4	-3	0

Group 4	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
USA	2	2	0	0	6	0	+6	4
Belgium	2	1	0	1	1	3	-2	2
Paraguay	2	0	0	2	0	4	-4	0

The Group Stages

Estadio Centenario

 The centerpiece stadium, the Estadio Centenario, was not quite ready. Work went on 24 hours a day but it was only finished 5 days into the tournament. The other stadiums used were the Pocitos and Parque Central, elsewhere in Montevideo. These hosted the opening games simultaneously, as USA beat Belgium 3-0 while France hammered the Mexicans 4-1. Snow was falling as Frenchman Lucien Laurent wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first World Cup goalscorer after 19 minutes. Lucien has since said:

“We were playing Mexico and it was snowing, since it was winter in the southern hemisphere. One of my team mates centred the ball and I followed its path carefully, taking it on the volley with my right foot. Everyone was pleased but we didn't all roll around on the ground – nobody realised that history was being made. A quick handshake and we got on with the game. And no bonus either; we were all amateurs in those days, right to the end.”

 www.fifa.com provide us with the first ever World Cup controversy that happened two days later as France lost to Argentina 1-0:

“Trailing to a free-kick by Argentine enforcer Luisito Monti, the French were denied the opportunity of an equaliser when referee Almeida Rego halted Marcel Langiller's run on goal by sounding the final whistle. Unfortunately, there were actually six minutes remaining, prompting chaotic scenes that only ended when the Brazilian official brought the teams back on to the pitch to conclude the contest.” 

Guillermo Stábile - The First Golden Boot Winner

 Group 1 continued to provide entertainment as Argentina v Mexico featured 5 penalties (refereed by the Bolivia manager) and a hat-trick from Guillermo Stábile on his international debut as the Argentina won 6-3. This result set up a final game decider from qualification between Argentina and Chile, Argentina won again despite a mass brawl and were through to the semis. Group 2 was supposed to be dominated by the Brazilians who were seeded by an unexpected loss to Yugoslavia meant beating Bolivia 4-0 was not enough to advance as Yugoslavia did the same.

Group 3 contained the hosts Uruguay and saw the first dismissal as Plácido Galindo of Peru received his marching orders against Romania. This was noted as the lowest World Cup attendance ever too, officially 2,459 but actually thought to be more around 300. Uruguay’s first game was the opener at the magnificent Estadio Centenario, they postponed the match until the stadium was ready but after a series of centenary celebrations and 100 years to the day after the Uruguayan constitution was signed they saw a 1-0 victory for their side over Peru. Uruguay went on to beat Romania 4-0 and qualify.

Finally, Group 4 was topped by the USA who surprised some people. They smashed Belgium 3-0 despite complaints about refereeing and the pitch then saw the tournament’s first hat-trick in their next game against Paraguay scored Bert Petenaude 2 days before Stábile’s. The final match was for nothing and Paraguay edged Belgium 1-0.

The Semi Finals

 The seeded Argentina and USA met in the first semi final on July 26th with the Americans fielding 6 British born players. The match was a violent affair and after only 19 minutes the USA were down to 10 men due to a nasty leg break on centre half Raphael Tracey. The “shot putters’’ as nicknamed by the newspapers, could not hang on and conceded 6 times, Stábile got himself 2 more and a late 89th minute consolation meant little for the Yanks.

The second semi final a day later saw the same scoreline as Uruguay trounced Yugoslavia 6-1. Yugoslavia started well taking the lead after 4 minutes but a hat-trick from Pedro Cea and a disallowed Yugoslav goal meant the home side advanced to the final. It is thought that Tom Florie and Blagoje Marjanović, captains of the losing semi finalists, received bronze medals for their teams as the 3rd Place Playoff would not come in till 1934.

The Final 30th July 1930

The World Cup Final Line Up

So onto the final, Argentina the form team and Uruguay the hosts at the Estadio Centenario in front of over 100,000 fans (only 90,000 officially)! It was a rematch of the 1928 Olympics final that Uruguay had won after a replay and the Argentinians wanted revenge! Boats were crowded crossing the River Plate from Argentina and gates that opened 8am, 6 hours before kick off were full by midday. Belgian referee John Langenus, fearing for his life after death threats were sent to some players asked for FIFA to provide a boat should he need to make a quick escape. Before the game could kick off a row ensued between the two captains over whose ball to use so Langenus offered a solution acceptable to both sides, Argentina’s ball would be used for the first half and Uruguay’s for the second. This is what the BBC have suggested as the coining of the phrase “a game of two halves”.

 The hosts broke the deadlock after 12 minutes before conceding 8 minutes later and then once again through Stábile to make it 2-1 Argentina. Uruguay were furious as they thought it was offside but it stood nonetheless and the home side had work to do as they were being outdone by superior passing and attacking intelligence. In the second half these changed and Uruguay took the momentum by equalising through Pedro Cea then after 68 minutes Uruguay had the lead once more as Santos Iriarte slotted home. The 4-2 win was wrapped up by Héctor Castro just before full time and the trophy was Uruguay’s! They were Olympic Champions and now they were World Champions as Jules Rimet presented the “Goddess of Victory” (that would later be named after him). A national holiday was declared the next day in Uruguay as newspapers reported the feat and credited captain José Nasazzi half time speech to his player. 

The first World Cup was over, Guillermo Stábile finished top goalscorer with 8 tournament goals in what were his only 4 appearances for the Argentinian national team. The World Cup though had captured the public’s imagination, it was a championship of firsts without a single draw, who knew then it would go on to become the greatest and most sought after competition in history?!

Gareth Thomas TFHB (Follow me on Twitter @GJ_Thomas & @TFHBTop250)

By: Unknown On 11.36

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