The First World Cup Final

On 30 July 1930, football history was made when Uruguay faced Argentina in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. The tournament was hosted by Uruguay, who were celebrating the centenary of their country's first constitution. Thirteen nations took part in the inaugural competition. The final attracted a crowd of more than 68,000 spectators and produced a thrilling contest between two South American rivals. Argentina led 2–1 at half-time, but Uruguay fought back magnificently in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to win 4–2 and become the first nation to lift the World Cup trophy. One of the match's more unusual stories concerned the football itself. Both teams wanted to use their own ball, so a compromise was reached: Argentina's ball was used in the first half and Uruguay's in the second. The victory established Uruguay as football's first world champions and began a tournament tradition that would grow into the biggest event in international football.