Uruguay 1924-30

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Uruguay, 1930 WC Final Formation
 
Alltime Legends

Best Players in Each Position

Best Ever National Sides

Best Ever Club Sides
 
Dream Teams
Coach: Alberto Suppici
Achievements: Olympic Gold Medal 1924, 28; World Cup 1930
Key Players: Andrade, Nasazzi, Scarone, Cea, Castro
Formation: 2-3-5

The first bona fide world champions. When Uruguay won the first World Cup it was after dominating the previous decade as the leading international football team. The Olympics represented the only global football tournament in these pre-world cup days and Uruguay won the football gold medal in both 1924 and 1928, recognised by FIFA as comparable status to a World Cup. This was itself more impressive in that both those Olympic tournaments were held in Europe (Paris and Amsterdam). These victories made Uruguay the logical choice for the honour of holding the first World Cup. This they duly won, beating neighbours Argentina 4-2 in the Final. The limited European involvement in this tournament, and Uruguay's refusal to compete in the next two, European-based, World Cups may cast some doubt on their credentials but with those Olympic victories it proves beyond doubt that Uruguay was the leading football nation from 1924 to 1930.

The star of the team was the black player Andrade, a defensive half-back, who fascinated Parisian society. The football character of Uruguay throughout history was established as a defensive and combative though not without some attacking flair. In 1930 this was largely provided by Scarone.

This was an incredible achievement for a nation of less than 3 million people and was to see them build a tradition that led to them winning the World Cup again in 1950, reaching the semi-finals in 1970 and 2010 and producing world class players such as Schiaffino, Pedro Rocha, Enzo Francescoli and Diego Forlan. A true footballing fairy-tale.

 
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Uruguay 1930