BOOK PREVIEW: MUD, BLOOD & STUDS BY JAMES BROWN

[Note: Here, below, my good friend James Brown provides a synopsis of his newly published book, Mud, Blood and Studs, One Family's Legacy in Soccer and Rugby Across Three Continents. Primarily a story about his grandfather and fathers footballing legacy its much more than that. Its an ode to an extraordinary family of sporting talent.

I've been collaborating with James for a few years now and he gives me some credit in helping him with his research for his book, specifically around the 1930 US team but its perhaps more credit than I deserve but thats James for you, very kind and humble and one of the most generous people I have ever met. - Dean Lockyer, World Cup 1930 Project]

 

 

I embarked on this adventure some 6 long years ago. At year 5, I met my good friend Dean, and he was already deep entrenched by the mystique of the 1930 World Cup since years. I was eager to find out about the careers that I grew up hearing stories about. I needed to see photos, articles, programmes. Whatever I could. I had just jumped in with both feet, searching worldwide everywhere I could to find out information on every member of my sporting family over 3 different generations of football and rugby players: libraries in Bayonne and Plainfield, New Jersey; online archives & British Newspaper sources; English & Scottish Premiership & other league clubs like Plainfield Soccer Club, Bayonne Rovers, Newark Skeeters, NY Giants, Brooklyn Wanderers, Newark Americans, Newark City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Guildford City, Clyde, Ipswich Town, Glenburn Rovers, Shawfield, Clyde, Hibernian, Dundee, Dreghorn Juniors, Kilmarnock, Troon Athletic, Partick Thistle, Chester, Swindon Town, Lovell's Athletic, Distillery (N. Ireland) and national junior and senior team sides in the United States, England and Scotland. Then over to the rugby side of the Brown and Lambie families with Jonsson College Rovers, West of Scotland, Natal, Sharks, Guy's, Kings and St. Thomas' Rugby Football Club, Sharks, Racing 92, Gala, Western Province, Marr College FP, Glasgow District, England, Scotland, South Africa Springboks, British and Irish Lions…That’s an extensive and proud list. 

6 years-worth - a mountain of research articles, documents, photos, books, etc. 

Family letters, photos and albums, interviews, memories and recollections were essential to collect, arrange and weave into this story that I spent 6 fantastic years working on. Along the way, I’ve made wonderful friendships throughout the world on all continents with soccer geeks, kindred spirit,  passionate men and women for all walks of life – but all linked to association foot-ball, soccer, football, etc – to The Beautiful Game. While I went on a search for any online references or through collections, online sales – I stumbled upon a podcast where a roundtable was taking place, talking about early US soccer and that’s when I first heard Tom McCabe and David Kilpatrick, both professors at the time in the NY/NJ area. David was talking about players’ rights and that he had a paper somewhere in his neatly organized mess of an office! And that is was about the NY Giants in 1930 having gone on strike because of pay concerns and that a young lad by the name of James Brown was the only player on the team who didn’t agree with the settled amount.  

To learn more about America’s rich soccer history, go to The Society for American Soccer History

I quickly made contact with both of them and from there, learned more about The Society for American Soccer History (S.A.S.H) and their efforts to revitalize, correct, do more research and help to educate those who wanted to know about US soccer’s rich history dating back to the 1880s. The other major reason for diving into US soccer history was coming across SASH member, Zach Bigalke’s PhD thesis called, “Anything but Ringers”, a deep analysis about the soccer lanscape in the 1920s building up to the 1930 World Cup and the US Men’s National Team with my grandfather being one of those players. The thought was that since the US was not a big player on the recent international stage (2 dismal showing at the Olympic Games 1924 and 1928) and not getting out of the pool rounds. Their run in the 1930 World Cup that got them out of the pool stage at the top of the table with 2 cleansheet wins against Belgium and Paraguay to the semis and ending with a crushing, unjust loss to Argentina, was acccentuated with suspicions because of USMNT’s drastic change in performance and british accents. Hence, federations and reporters thought the US bought their way to 3rd place, when in fact, the US players with Scottish and English origins had actually lived in the US since their teens, with my grandfather being the last immigrant to join the team when he moved to the US in 1927. Their accents always remained. You can take a man out of Scotland but you can never take Scotland out of the man!   

I must confess that once soccer moved into color from a photography perspective, I kind of stopped being interested, so from 1960 onwards! My main focus is from 1920s to the end of the 1950s. It was a period where sandlots were the main recruiting terraces and strong waves of immigration helped bolster leagues, especially on the East Coast. Balls were made of heavy leather and laced up causing a bump and often inflicting damage when heading, even-more-so when it rained the ball became a medicine ball waiting to send you to the emergency room or asylum for an early retirement – just ask Wee Willie! Boots were tough, heavy and felt like today’s security steel-toed boots.  You had to be tough, determined and ready to win at all costs back then. With S.A.S.H, I find so much joy in helping individuals or historical soccer societies find out more about their past players or relatives who played in the 1920s, ‘30s, etc or journalists who need some help gathering more info for a story.  

I’ve worked with people from North and South America to EU (Western & Eastern Europe), UK, South Africa and North Africa I’ve found my stride in researching backgrounds of players and I get such a rush from unraveling that little bit of info, photo etc that completes the puzzle of one’s career back in the day. Roger Alaway, the foremost US soccer historian recently referred to me as the Sherlock Holmes of Soccer! That’s a compliment that I can run with and I feel so fortunate to have kindred spirit in the soccer history world. Dean does some of the most in-depth analysis of the 1930 World Cup overall, and I’m astounded by what he finds and posts every week on Twitter and on his blog. I owe so much of what I know today because of him and it’s great to collaborate with him.  Whenever I send him an email with an item or tidbit I’ve come across, I always start off saying “you probably already have this…” and 9 times out of 10 he already had it!  

James with son, Aidan, in Paris, 2019

So, what started off as a pure family tree set of papers that I wanted to assemble for my son, Aidan so that he knew where he came from, from a sporting perspective, turned into something bigger, better and gave me a new focus in life. He now has a definitive look at the paternal side of the Brown. Soccer has always been in my blood and I’m just so happy to be able to share my love for the the Beautiful Game with you all and collaborate, exchange ideas and help resolve those mysteries from early periods of soccer. The main challenge in the US is finding family’s of former players to see what was passed down; see the state of preservation and help the family understand what their options are for the collection and then organize with museums, private collectors, universities, etc. 

In any event, I look forward working on 2 more books about the USMNT for 2026 and am so happy to be able to give back to a sport that I cherish so! 

You can buy the book in hardcover or Ebook - Kindle - through the following distribution points

UK – delivery already started since Sept. 1

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/mud-blood-and-studs

North & South America – Amazon.com (Delivery starts Dec. 1, 2022) 

Amazon.com

If you need any research help about soccer teams, clubs, players, federations – don’t hesitate to contact me on Twitter @ 1930WorldCup or by email at robyburns@hotmail.com. Of course, Dean is always keen as well digging for 1930 World Cup research, especially when relatives of players from that World Cup contact us. 

Five Facts You May Not Know About the 1930 World Cup - part 11

"BROKEN BONES AND HANDGRENADES"

1.In the fifth match played on Day 3 of the championship, favourites Argentina struggled to beat a stubborn French team 1-0. Luis Monti scored the first ever direct free-kick at a World Cup in the 81st minute. Monti exploited a gap in the wall that left French keeper Alexis Thépot unsighted. 

2. Two players had the misfortune of suffering serious leg breaks. Romania's Adalbert Steiner suffered a double fracture after a horrific stamp from Peru's Luis Souza Ferreira and Bolivia's Gumercindo Gomez broke his leg after an accidental challenge from Yugoslav captain Milutin Ivkovic. Both received compensation from the Uruguayan Football Association, Gomez received a substantially greater sum of 1000 gold pesos (US $16,556 in 2021) compared to the Romanian who only received 200 gold pesos (US $3,666 in 2021).

3. Bolivia's Eduardo Reyes Ortiz who made his World Cup debut against Brazil on 20th July, was grandson to the former Vice-President Serapio Reyes Ortiz. But he could also trace his genealogy back 13 generations to the last Incan emperor Atahualpa.

4. On the day of the Final between Uruguay and Argentina fans were searched for weapons at the port of Montevideo and upon entrance to the stadium. Among the thousands of items seized were revolvers, knives and clubs. In the European press it was claimed it that hand grenades (Ellenzak/Hungary) and bombs (Derby Daily Telegraph/England) were confiscated. 

5. Santos Iriarte, who blasted Uruguay's third goal in the final into the top corner from 30 yards, was lavished with the gift of a great racehorse by an enthusiastic rich fan.

Five Facts You May Not Know About the 1930 World Cup - Part 7

@WC1930blogger

1. The French Football Federation defined the features of the insurance covering the delegates and the players travelling to the 1930 World Cup. It was decided that for the players and the officials who are married, the payment in the event of death will be increased to 100,000 francs. The daily allocation for all will be 30 francs, and the amount of the bonus will be 350 francs per person.

2. The Mexican press questioned the selection process of the 'National' team since all players were from the Capital but it was practical for these amateur players with their training camp at Parque Necaxa. All players arose at 6 am, trained till 8:30 followed by breakfast before leaving for their day jobs. Returned to camp at 5pm for lectures. Had dinner at 8pm before retiring to bed. 

3. US team manager W.R. Cummings, former Secretary to Robert Lincoln, son of Abe, described the field at Parque Central as '... being a bed of wet sticky clay with pools of water too numerous to count.' The US team strategy of using long wing passes was most effective in their opening day 3-0 victory over the short passing tactics of Belgium.

4. Brazilian forward Preguinho scored the first header in World Cup history in his nation's 2-1 defeat to Yugoslavia on 14th July 1930.

CORRECTION: After further discussion it was Bert Patenaude who scored the 1st headed goal in World Cup history (13 July) vs Belgium in the 89th minute in their 3-0 victory & not Preguinho (14 July, vs Yugoslavia.) Source: La Prensa (14/7/30)

5. Two Canillitas (newspaper vendors), both disabled, made a great sacrifice to watch Argentina play Uruguay in the World Cup Final. Alfonso Lloner and Antonio Pizzano left their home city of Rosario for Sante Fe where they crossed the river by raft to Parana. They made their way to Concordia and crossed Uruguay by train via Salto, Paysandu, Fray Bentos before finally arriving in Montevideo. 

Five Facts You May Not Know About The 1930 World Cup - Part Six

Twitter: @WC1930blogger

1. During Argentina's progress to the World Cup Final they used 21 players out of their 22 man squad. Only Edmundo Piaggio from Lanus was unused. Not once did they use the same team line-up in their five matches. Loss of form, psychological issues, injuries and death threats determined team selection.

2. There were five foreign-born coaches at the 1930 World Cup: Hungarian Gyorgy Orth directed Chile. The Spaniard with gypsy blood, Juan Luque de Serrallonga led the Mexicans. Argentinian mestizo José Duran Laguna was in charge of the Paraguayans. The Peruvians had the Spaniard Francisco Bru at the helm while the Scot Robert Millar was in charge of the United States. Three of the five had coached in the countries beforehand while Orth and Bru had been offered contracts to come to Chile and Peru.

3. Mexican defender Manuel Rosas became the first footballer in World Cup history to score an own goal when he headed past his own keeper in his teams 3-0 defeat to Chile (16 July).

4. Carlos Adolfo Schneeberger Lemp, known as 'El Gringo' and also 'Montón de letras' (Bundle of letters), was Chile's captain. Born to Swiss immigrants, his surname is habitual in origin. "Schnee" meaning snow and "berger" translating to berg or mountain.

5. Vasco da Gama player Paschoal announced in June 1930 that he was withdrawing from Brazil's World Cup Squad. Worried about losing pay from his employer he announced, "I can not leave my family to suffer the martyrdom of hunger."

1. Durante el progreso de Argentina a la final de la Copa del Mundo, usaron 21 jugadores de su escuadrón de 22 hombres. Solo Edmundo Piaggio de Lanus no fue utilizado. Ni una sola vez usaron la misma alineación de equipo en sus cinco partidos. La pérdida de forma, problemas psicológicos, lesiones y amenazas de muerte determinaron la selección del equipo.

2. Hubo cinco entrenadores nacidos en el extranjero en la Copa Mundial de 1930: el húngaro Gyorgy Orth dirigió a Chile. El español con sangre gitana, Juan Luque de Serrallonga lideró a los mexicanos. El mestizo argentino José Durán Laguna estuvo a cargo de los paraguayos. Los peruanos tenían al español Francisco Bru al timón mientras que el escocés Robert Millar estaba a cargo de los Estados Unidos. Tres de los cinco habían entrenado previamente en los países, mientras que a Orth y Bru se les habían ofrecido contratos para venir a Chile y Perú.

3. El defensor mexicano Manuel Rosas se convirtió en el primer futbolista en la historia de la Copa del Mundo en marcar un gol en propia meta cuando se adelantó a su propio arquero en la derrota por 3-0 de su equipo ante Chile (16 de julio).

4. Carlos Adolfo Schneeberger Lemp, conocido como 'El Gringo' y también 'Montón de letras', fue el capitán de Chile. Nacido de inmigrantes suizos, su apellido es de origen habitual. "Nieve" significa nieve y "berger" que se traduce en berg o montaña.

5. El jugador de Vasco da Gama, Paschoal, anunció en junio de 1930 que se retiraría del equipo de la Copa Mundial de Brasil. Preocupado por perder el sueldo de su empleador, anunció: "No puedo dejar que mi familia sufra el martirio del hambre".

Match Report - Uruguay vs Argentina (English translation from La Voz)

@WC1930blogger

This is an English translation of the match report of the first ever World Cup final between Uruguay and Argentina played on the 30th July 1930. The hosts, Uruguay, emerged victorious as 4-2 winners after trailing at halftime 2-1. The report has at least one mistake as it lists Uruguay's first goalscorer as Pedro Cea. In fact, the author of the goal was the outside-right, Pablo Dorado.

The article was published in the Spanish newspaper La Voz on the 31st July 1930. The author of the piece is unknown but likely a South American journalist working for the Associated Press cablegram newsagency. You can read the original Spanish language report here.

Readers are welcome to offer their opinions as to the accuracy of the translation that was interpreted using google.

1930 World Cup Final,
Uruguay - Argentina 4:2 pic.twitter.com/bmKAq0enO3

— FootballTime&Nations (@FCTimeNations) June 7, 2018

FOOTBALL

THE URUGUAYAN OLYMPIC CHAMPION IN PARIS AND AMSTERDAM WINS IN MONTEVIDEO THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD. WIN IN THE FINAL (4-2) AGAINST ARGENTINA.

The teams.- Montevideo 30 (16. evening) .- The national teams of Uruguay and Argentina, which this afternoon will compete in the world soccer championship. They are formed by the following players:

Uruguayan team - Ballesteros: Nasazzi, Mascheroni; Andrade Fernández, Gestido Dorado, Scarone. Anselmo, Cea, Iriarte.

Argentine team.- Botasso: De la Torre, Paternoster; Evaristo (J.). Chividini, Suarez; Peucelle, Varallo, Stabile, Ferreyra. Evaristo (M.).

The Argentine player Monti must have played in his team as a midfielder, but he has refused to play this afternoon, due to his lack of sympathy with the Uruguayan public. To be named to replace Monti [is] the player Zumelzu, but cannot play because of being sick. Then it was decided that Chividini would take the place of Monti in the final match. He still does not know if at the last minute he will be able to convince Monti to occupy the rightful place in the team, because many technicians [coaching staff] and supporters try to convince him to play against the Uruguayans.

The Uruguayan team talks about the possibility that at the last minute Petrone or Castro replace Anselmo as a centre-forward. (Associated Press.)

MONTEVIDEO 30 (9 n.), - The teams have suffered at the last minute the following modifications: the middle Argentine centre Chividini is replaced by Monti, and the Uruguayan centre-forward Anselmo is replaced by Castro.

News of Uruguay's victory in the 1st @FIFAWorldCup Final in Cornwall's Western Daily Press, 31 July 1930. Special trains and aeroplanes assist fans to the capital Montevideo, @Uruguay. Offices and business close and politicians attend the match. #WC1930 #Mundial1930 pic.twitter.com/hUIjPZ47JD

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) December 31, 2017

The game.-Montevideo 30 (8 night) .- In the final match of the World Championship, played this afternoon between the national teams of the Republic of Argentina and Uruguay, the Uruguayans won by four goals against two.

The first half ended with the score of two to one, favourable to the Argentine team.

The detail. -During the first minutes of play, the Argentines, and especially the defence line, with great nervousness, frequently missing and allowing the dominance of the Uruguayan players, who after twelve minutes of play managed to score the first goal, the work of striker Cea. Putting the game back into play, the fight was balanced, noticing a greater security in the Argentine defence. Evaristo (J.) made an excellent game, stopping advances of the Uruguayan front line and serving numerous balls to his. The Argentine strikers, despite showing lack of rapport, put several times in danger in Uruguayan goal, until in the twenty minutes of play they achieved their first goal through Peucelle. The fight continues balanced; but, at thirty-eight minutes, a beautiful combination made by Varallo and Stabile finished the latter, pointing the second both the Argentine team. The first half ended with the score of two to one in favour of the Argentines.

In the second half, the Argentines hopeful of being able to take revenge of the Amsterdam final, they directed all their efforts to maintain the advantage obtained in the first time: however, the weak performance of some of their players, who tried to make plays individual, removed effectiveness to the team's overall work. In addition, although the extremes performed well, they did not manage to link their game with their other linemates. After the first moments, the Uruguayan players made strong attacks to get their second goal with a superb shot by Dorado. A few minutes later Iriarte scored the third and moments before the meeting was over the centre-forward Castro achieved the fourth goal. (Associated Press.)

30 July 1930, Hector 'El Manco' Castro, who lost his right hand in an electric saw accident, scores URU 4th goal in WC final. #WC1930 pic.twitter.com/rc4V9VATYD

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) July 30, 2017

30 July 1930, @Uruguay players celebrate their victory over @Argentina in the 1930 World Cup Final. #WC1930 #Mundial1930 pic.twitter.com/hSPjmsrSXa

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) July 30, 2017

#OnThisDay in 1930 @Uruguay won the first ever #WorldCup, in front of over 68,000 fans at the Estadio Centenario Montevideo pic.twitter.com/1e7ZjmsKoh

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 31, 2017

For that trip! ... Montevideo 30 (10 n.) .- The Italian transatlantic "Duilio", which left Buenos Aires last night driving 1,000 Argentinean fans, who moved to this capital to witness the game, has arrived after the meeting ended, because of the thick fog in the Río de la Plata. For the same reason, they have had to return to Buenos Aires several aeroplanes and boats that made the trip to this capital.

The police authorities have stated that the agents under their command have seized more than 5,000 revolvers and bladed weapons, the property of Argentines who have moved these days to Montevideo to witness the matches of the world championship. (Associated Press.)

#WC1930: People gathered together at #PlazaDeMayo listening to the radio-report of the final between #Argentina and #Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/mHo001dIqZ

— OldFootballPhotos (@OldFootball11) January 3, 2017

The bad to lose - London 31 - Telegraph from Buenos Aires to the ''Daily Herald'' that the news of the victory of the Uruguayan soccer team has given rise to several incidents and tumults, some ladies who looked out onto a balcony on Mayo Avenue The Uruguayan flag was stoned by the populace, and the police had to carry several charges against groups of protesters who stoned the Uruguayan Consulate, breaking almost all the windows of the building, and the agents were forced to cease the guns to restore order. .

The Argentine press protests against the game developed by the Uruguayans, describing it as brutal and accuses of manifest partiality [by] the Belgian referee, Langenus. (Fabra)

Match Report - Argentina vs United States (English translation from El Heraldo de Madrid)

@WC1930blogger


On July 26th, Argentina beat the United States 6-1 to qualify for the first ever World Cup final. This translation of the match report appeared in the July 28th edition of El Heraldo de Madrid. Uruguay defeated in Yugoslavia in the other semi-final played on the 27th of July. 

The author of the dispatch is unknown but was a reporter (most likely a South American native) working for the cable news agency, the Associated Press. You can read the original report here.

Any suggestions to help improve this document are welcome which was translated via google.

On this day, 26 July 1930, ARG bt USA 6-1 in WC S/F. Press coverage El Ideal, Pittsburgh Press, La Critica, La Prensa. @1930WorldCup #WC1930 pic.twitter.com/Z6OY9cLU8s

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) July 26, 2017

URUGUAY AND ARGENTINA ARE CLASSIFIED FOR THE FINAL MONTEVIDEO. 
The semifinal of the world soccer championship has been played, corresponding to the Argentines and North Americans. They beat the first six against one.

MONTEVIDEO.-The soccer match played between the national teams of the Argentine Republic and the United States in the national stadium was attended by nearly 100,000 spectators, who occupied all the locations. Among the spectators was a large number of Argentines, who wave their national flag.

#WorldCup SemiFinal 1930, Argentina v USA, Guillermo Stabile vs USA goalkeeper Jim Douglas. #classicfootball #soccer pic.twitter.com/FPjMGpN3iy

— Hansa Soccer Academy (@HansaSoccer) March 1, 2014

In the first time the Argentines dominate almost completely, in such a way that in the first twenty minutes the game was developed within the North American line of defense, having the goalkeeper Douglas to intervene innumerable times, always with success. The Argentines managed in this first time to score a goal, work of Monti. The Argentine spectators welcomed this first goal with a big ovation, followed by all kinds of expressions of enthusiasm.

The Argentines demonstrated in this first half have greater agility and knowledge of the game than their opponents. They developed a game of short passes that completely disconcerted the Americans, unaware of this technique. 

Argentina 6 v. Estados Unidos 1. #Mundial 1930. 26/7/1930. https://t.co/PwMl0QOX2F pic.twitter.com/qlysHLhvFI

— Torito Casale (@viejocasale) July 30, 2016

In the second half the American defense was powerless to contain the impetuous attacks of the Argentine strikers, who acted more blended than in the first forty-five minutes. The Argentine players scored five goals at eleven, twenty-three, thirty-five, forty-forty-two minutes of play. These many were executed by the players Scopelli, Stabile and Peucelle. The fourth Argentine goal, made by Peucelle, was in fact, marked by the North American defender Wood who, when he tried to deflect the ball, introduced it into his own net. Six minutes before ending the match the American Storie managed to score the goal of honor, ending the game with the victory of the Argentines by six goals against one.

In this second half the Americans gave the impression of being completely confused by the technique used by the Argentines.

Argentina v USA 1930 World Cup semi-final.
Wait....USA got to a World Cup semi-final? pic.twitter.com/lh2JSYm66W

— The League Magazine (@Theleaguemag) June 4, 2013

Match Report - Argentina vs Chile (English translation from La Nacion)

@WC1930blogger

This is the match report of Argentina's 3-1 victory over Chile at the Estadio Centenario that was played on 22nd of July. This match secured their place in semi-finals alongside the United States, Yugoslavia and the host Uruguay.

The article is unsigned but is most likely a South American scribe working for the cable news agency Associated Press. This report appeared in the 23rd July edition of Madrid based daily La Nacion. You can read the original report here.

Readers are welcome to offer their input to help improve the translation of this document that was translated via google.

Selección de Chile Mundial 1930 pic.twitter.com/oRZ4BQK9Ht

— RODRIGO ULLOA M. (@PUKONO) June 23, 2014

Argentina 3 v. Chile 1. #Mundial 1930. 22/7/1930. https://t.co/WvsDXhQZbj pic.twitter.com/CA1LADkYPL

— Torito Casale (@viejocasale) July 23, 2016

Argentina defeated Chile.

And it goes to the semifinal.

Argentina, 3: Chile, 1.

MONTEVIDEO 23.-In the eliminatory match for the world soccer championship played this afternoon by the national teams of the Argentine Republic and Chile, the Argentineans won by three goals against one. (Associated Press)

In the match "ties were tightened".

La Roja en el mundial 1930.
Escena del partido Argentina-Chile. pic.twitter.com/jJW4tIqzth

— Carlos Pérez (@puertomontt25) December 27, 2016

MONTEVIDEO 22.-In the first half of the match played this afternoon between the national teams of the Argentine Republic and Chile, the Argentines scored the first goal at eleven minutes of play, and the second, two minutes later, both made by the Stabile player.

22/7/1930 - El tercer partido, Argentina sigue por la senda ganadora y derrota a Chile por 3 a 1 con goles de Evaristo y Stábile con dos tantos. pic.twitter.com/BHnO2zKHfw

— Fútbol Argentino Retro (@ArgFutbolRetro) June 8, 2018

The Chileans, however, were not intimidated, but played with greater effort, getting fourteen minutes to score a goal, the work of striker Subiabre. Then there were countless attacks on the Argentine goal, not making the score vary by the deviation of the shots of their strikers. During the offensive of the Chilean team, an Argentine player fouled one of his opponents, who got up and slapped the author of the foul. (*)Then a real pitched battle ensued between the players of both teams, with the game being suspended for several minutes, while the contenders were separated and the player victim of the foul was served. The game resumed, throwing the Chileans in free-kick, and, shortly after, the first half was over.

(*) For further on the identity of the players below, see comments below.

In the first forty-five minutes, the Chileans acted magnificently, because, although the Argentines scored two goals first, their game did not decline the least, and only the accuracy of their shots should be attributed the difference of scoring between both teams.

In the second half, the Argentines began playing with greater enthusiasm, achieving through Mario Evaristo mediation, the third in his favour. The Chileans made numerous attacks on the Argentine goal, wasting several times to score, due to the inaccuracy of their shots.

In the last moments, the Argentines attacked continuously, often putting the Chilean goal in danger; but they did not get any more.

The match with the triumph of the Argentinians by three goals against one .- (Associated Press.)

Match Report - Argentina vs Mexico; Chile vs France (English translation from La Nacion)

@WC1930blogger

This is a match report of the doubleheader that was played on the 19th of July 1930 at the Estadio Centenario. Chile played France around midday while Argentina defeated Mexico later that afternoon.

This article was written by an anonymous journalist working for the Associated Press that was published in the Madrid-based newspaper, La Nacion, on the 21st July 1930. You can read the original report here.

Readers are welcome to offer any improvements on translation into English from Spanish which was converted via google. There was at least two spelling errors in regard to the spelling of players names. For instance, the Mexican player, Roberto Gayon is misspelt Gallardo and Zumelzu is written as Sumelzu. The reference to 'porteños' is a word associated with the inhabitants of Buenos Aires and in this context is generalized to refer to the Argentinians.

#Mundial Uruguay 1930. 19/7/1930.
Argentina 6 (Guillermo Stábile 3, Adolfo Zumelzú 2 y Francisco Varallo) v. México 3 (Manuel Rosas 2 y Roberto Gayón). pic.twitter.com/nePDoJbgTc

— Torito Casale (@viejocasale) July 19, 2018

Argentina defeats Mexico and Chile beat France.

MONTEVIDEO 19.-The match between the representative teams of the Argentine Republic and Mexico has been characterized by an overwhelming superiority of the porteños. Only the enthusiasm that the Mexicans have made throughout the game has been able to save them from a catastrophic defeat.

The first part of the game was extremely monotonous. The Argentines, confident of their superiority, seemed to play with reluctance. However, their superior combinations allowed them to jeopardize the other goal at all times. After eight minutes, as a result of one of these combinations, Stabile scored the first goal in favour of Argentina. Once again the ball was put into play, the porteños again advanced, and Sumelzu (Zumelzu) scored the second goal.

The game is parked in the field of the Mexicans and soon arrives the third goal, also by Stabile. This both encourages the Mexicans, who, chanted by the public, which is clearly favourable, endanger the Argentine goal. One of two porteños (full) backs contact the ball with the hand in the penalty area, and the referee orders the maximum punishment. Mexican player Lopez (it was actually M Rosas) is in charge of throwing him (of taking the penalty), who, from a magnificent shot, catches the ball in the Argentine goal.

Encouraged by this goal, the Mexicans carry live attacks, which put in serious danger at the opposite goal. His technical inferiority is evident; but their enthusiasm allows them to corner at certain moments the opponents, who played with a lot of apathy, and wins the sympathy of the public. Finish the first jalf with a three to one.

In the second half, the Argentines, without showing enthusiasm, take advantage of their superiority to score the fourth and fifth goals, seven and eight minutes after the game began. The authors of the many are Varallo and Zumelzu. The referee punishes the Argentines with a free kick (actually another penalty). Manuel Rosas is responsible for throwing it (for taking it), and sends the ball with good aim. Bossio rejects, but Rosas gets the ball again and scores the second goal for the Mexicans.

#GELP #CGE

El 19 de julio de 1930 Argentina le ganaba por 6 a 3 a México.
Corrían 8 minutos del ST, y Panchito Varallo ponía el 4 a 1 parcial. Era su primer gol mundialista, el primer gol de un jugador platense en la máxima competencia. De Gimnasia al mundo.#MuseoCGE pic.twitter.com/W2yOF89ymm

— Cultura y Museo CGE (@CulturaMuseoCGE) July 19, 2018

Despite the dominance of the Argentines, the Mexicans still manage to make some loose advances. In one of them, Gallardo (Gayon) manages to score for his team the third goal at twenty-nine minutes of play. The Argentines shake their apathy for a few moments, and the Mexican goalkeeper, Bonifiglio, has the chance to win an ovation by making a formidable stop within a shot of Varallo. After thirty-seven minutes of play, Stábile scored the sixth Argentine goal. The match completely lapses in interest, because the Mexicans are exhausted by the effort made, and the Argentines are dedicated to keeping the difference. The match ends, then: Argentina, 6; Mexico, 3

#OnThisDay in 1930, #Argentina beat #Mexico 6-3 in Montevideo.#GuillermoStábile scores 3 goals.#WC1930 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/laTqapsQEh

— OldFootballPhotos (@OldFootball11) July 19, 2018

The French lose at a minimum.

More competitive, but also of mediocre quality, was the match that put the teams of Chile and France face to face. During the first half, the game was as early in one field as in another, but the decisive and energetic action of both defences messed up all the chances of scoring. It finished the first jalf with a draw.

Subiabre anota para Chile ante Francia - Uruguay 1930 pic.twitter.com/kitp6rhJ6E

— Raúl Vergara (@RaulVB) April 22, 2014

Twenty minutes into the second half, the Chilean striker advances in an admirable combination of passes, which ends Schemberger (actual scorer was Guillermo Subiabre), scoring the first goal. The French make desperate efforts to score, and the fight acquires great emotion, within their mediocre class. The Chileans manage to reach the end, keeping the difference. Chile, 1; France, 0 .-- Associated Press.)

Y así le ganó la @Seleccion_Chile a la selección de Francia en #Uruguay 1930 pic.twitter.com/pAkHyMQJgh

— Bajo Marquesina (@BajoMarquesina) December 27, 2013

Match Report - Argentina vs France (English translation from El Heraldo de Madrid)

This is an English translation of the match report that appeared in the Spanish publication El Heraldo de Madrid, on the 16th July 1930, of the game between Argentina and France from the previous day. Technically there are two accounts, the first a short paragraph, signed 'Fabra'. It is not clear if this is the name of the author or a news-agency. The second report is unsigned, however, the Madrid publication had previously picked up dispatches from Associated Press, who employed a local South American journalist who remained uncredited.

Common in many of these contemporary accounts are the misspelling of names, and as such in this google translation, I have remained faithful to original spellings which you can read here. Where there is confusion with the translation I have attempted to offer my own interpretation and readers are welcome to offer contributions to help improve the translation.

In the process of doing research of this World Cup it is ideal to do so using original accounts from the eyewitnesses, be it the players involved, or the journalist who chronicled the event. However, these are not free of errors, and in this account, it states that Alex Thepot, who was injured early in the match, was replaced by the substitute keeper, Tassin. But this is not true, because no substitutes were allowed and in fact Agustin Chantrel, the right back, took over between the post.

El Heraldo de Madrid, 16 July 1930.

Argentina beats France

MONTEVIDEO 16. - Yesterday afternoon they contended before a very large audience the teams of France and Argentina.

Tapa del diario El Día (19/07/1930) inmortalizando a Carlos Gardel en su querido GPC, durante Francia-Argentina. pic.twitter.com/mKV2g1HkGf

— Alvaro Paz #18.572 (@PAZBOLSO) October 6, 2013

The performance of the Argentine team disappointed the fans. The French played much better than expected and managed to finish the first half with a goalless draw.

In the second half the Argentines got the only goal of the afternoon, which earned them the victory. - Fabra.

Debut de Argentina, 15/07/1930. Sale el capitán Manuel Ferreira, seguido por el arquero Angel Bossio. 1-0 a Francia. pic.twitter.com/ePOLM97jkR

— Mundial Uruguay 1930 (@Mundial1930) April 5, 2014

The great performance of the French.

MONTEVIDEO 16.-The match eliminator or for the soccer world championship played yesterday afternoon between the national teams of France and Argentina were attended by 15,000 spectators.

The Argentine team lined up in the following way:

Bossio; Della Torre, Muttis; Juan Evaristo, Montis, Suarez; Perinetti, Varallo, Ferreyra, Cherro, Manuel Evaristo.

@CIHF_Historia Debut de Argentina en el Mundial de 1930. Francisco Varallo (3º desde la izquierda) tenía 20 años. pic.twitter.com/APSgc1wRCK

— Viejos Estadios (@ViejosEstadios) August 30, 2015

Francia en el gran Parque Central partido inaugural mundial 1930 Primer partido de los mundiales de fútbol pic.twitter.com/HCKn8CHFQe

— GABRIEL ☭ (@gabo1464) August 4, 2014

The French was composed of Depaud, who replaced Tassin; Capelle, Matler; Chantreg, Pinell, Villaplane; Liberatt,. Delfeur. Machinot, Laurent, Lopgalier.

World Cup 1930 referees #1 @RefereeingBooks Gilberto Rego tosses the coin for the Captains Ferreira & Villaplane - ARG @afa v FRA @FFF (15.07.1930). @FIFAWorldCup #WC1930 #Mundial pic.twitter.com/hW4ex9QT4f

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) December 15, 2017

Despite the fact that the Argentine players did not act in the first half in their usual way, they retained a slight dominance. The French, on the other hand, caused great surprise by developing a game far superior to that of the first game, played with the Mexicans. Especially the forwards made a very fast game, which put several times in danger the Argentine goal. The Argentines failed on several occasions to bounce the ball on the posts and crossbar of the French goal. The French goalkeeper acted lucidly, saving several dangerous situations.

The first half, which was uninteresting due to the indecision of the Argentine defense and the lack of cohesion in both teams, ended with a goalless draw.

The goal is scored in the second half.

The French began the second half animated by the public, who applauded the good plays that made the European players, especially the goalkeeper, who act brilliantly, stopping several formidable shots of the Argentine forwards that seemed unstoppable.

As a result of a collision with one of the Argentine players, the French center forward has to be removed from the field after ten minutes of play.

From this moment on the game acquires great violence, achieving the enthusiasm of two Frenchmen to counter the greater technique of their opponents.

The French forwards play very quickly; but in the twenty minutes they had not managed to overcome the resistance of the Argentine media, nor to throw the ball against the opposite goal.

Meanwhile the Argentines give evidence of greater understanding and repeatedly threaten the French goal. The Europeans charge the body (al cuerpo?), and the Argentines, unaccustomed to this kind of game, are bewildered. The French defense acts with extraordinary violence against the repeated attacks of the Argentine strikers.

At thirty-six minutes of play, the Argentine Monti manages to score the first goal for his team, by launching a '' free-kick ''.

Argentina - France 1-0
WC1930 pic.twitter.com/lDmFIywsE7

— david kldiashvili (@davidkldiashvi2) February 26, 2017

The French protest.

When the referee blows the whistle, terminating the game, the French players complain, claiming that the regulation time has not yet ended. The referee calls again to the Argentine players who had retired, so that they play two more minutes.

Argentine player Cherro, furious at the hostile demonstrations of the public, rebukes him, suffering shortly after a nervous attack, and is removed from the field.

The Frenchman Marchinot manages to throw a powerful shot, which passes a few centimeters above the crossbar, and after more time than granted in the extension, the referee ends the match with the victory of the Argentines by a goal to zero.

1º partido de Argentina en un mundial. #Mundial 1930. 15/7/1930.
Argentina 1 v. Francia 0. https://t.co/agM2AaoQQe pic.twitter.com/EZE1vXWCSk

— Torito Casale (@viejocasale) July 15, 2016