Match Report - Uruguay vs Yugoslavia (English translation from El Sol)

@WC1930blogger

This is a match report of the second semi-final between Uruguay and Yugoslavia played on the 27th July 1930. The hosts 6-1 win over the Balkan state secured their place in the first-ever World Cup final against their arch-rivals and neighbours from across the River Plate - Argentina. 

This dispatch appeared in the Spanish newspaper El Sol, on the 28th of July. You can read the original report here.

Readers are welcome to offer their opinions on the translation to help with any improvements. The document was converted via google.

Checked into a hotel in Kazan which has a small exhibition of photos from the 1930 World Cup. Before the Uruguay-Yugoslavia semi, they got five girls out of the local finishing school in Montevideo to greet the players. Quirky. pic.twitter.com/EqkEmokYl4

— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) June 28, 2018

Yugoslavia ahead of their 1930 World Cup semi-final against Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/HbbGQvLwaD

— Rob Fielder (@ademir2z) January 27, 2014

Uruguay, 6; Yugoslavia, 1

MONTEVIDEO 28 (10 m.). - Yesterday was the semifinal match of the world championship between the teams of Uruguay and Yugoslavia.

The first half ended with three goals to one in favour of Uruguay. From the first moment, the superiority of local players over their opponents was evident. However, the Yugoslavs produced a good impression, because they made excellent plays of short passes. His game during all this time recalled by its characteristics to the Argentine teams. In general, the game was animated and at times quite abrupt. The goalkeeper stood out remarkably from the Yugoslav team.

The Uruguayan front line was somewhat heavy. Their players did not demonstrate the excellent way in which they had acted in the match against the Romanian team. The defence acted well. The first goal of the afternoon was marked by the Yugoslavs. It was the only goal scored by this team, and it caused general confusion in the huge crowd that filled the stadium. The first Uruguayan, who gave the tie, was marked by Cea and received by the public with a formidable ovation. The second Uruguayan was scored by centre-forward Anselmo and gave rise to delirious expressions of enthusiasm, as well as the third, also achieved by Anselmo.

Shortly before the end of the first half the Yugoslavs scored the second goal, cancelled by the referee [for being] out of play.

In the second half, the superiority of the Uruguayan team became even more evident. As they were marking the many facts against the enemy goal the enthusiasm of the public overflowed. The match ended with six to one, in favour of Uruguay. The superiority of the local team was so obvious that most of the match was played near the Yugoslavian goal. Thanks to the magnificent performance of the Yugoslav goalkeeper, who played brilliantly, the Uruguayan triumph was prevented from reaching truly exceptional proportions.

In the Uruguayan team, the defenders Mascheroni and Nazzassi, the media Andrade and Fernández y Gestido stood out. The goalkeeper Ballesteros acted well, except in the goal that marked him at the start of the game. In contrast, the strikers did not produce a good impression and did not play up to what was expected. Only the left inside Cea and the centre-forward Anselmo stood out, although the game of the latter was inferior to the one played in the game played against the Romanians. In general, it can be said that from the technical point of view the game can be described as regular, and about more or less, similar to the one played between the United States and the Argentines the previous day, although the game played by the Yugoslav superior to the team of the United States.

87 years ago today URU bt YUG 6-1 WC S/F controversy 1 URU goal assist by policeman kicking ball into play from which host score. #WC1930 pic.twitter.com/C9zwnf2gAw

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) July 27, 2017

So many Uruguayans in the second half had scored: one by Iriarte and two by Cea.

Throughout the meeting the order was perfect. The same as on the previous day, the authorities had taken extreme precautions on the outside of the stadium and on the inside of the stadium. The surveillance was in charge of police forces and armed soldiers. In order to prevent the public from invading the field, it was surrounded by a double woven wire fence three meters high.

The turnout was huge, it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand people attended the match, having exhausted the locations with enough anticipation. Thousands of people who had not been able to get places surrounded the field hoping to know the result. (Associated Press.)

The Olympic final of Amsterdam was repeated

 MONTEVIDEO 28 (11 m.). - With the victory of Uruguay with the same number as the Argentine team in their match against the United States, these two finalist teams are left to compete for the world championship. The finalist match between Uruguay and Argentina will be held on Wednesday.

Match Report - United States vs Paraguay (English translation from El Sol)

@WC1930blogger

This is the English translation of the match report that appeared in the 18th July issue of Spanish newspaper, El Sol, from 1930 of the United States vs Paraguay game that was played at the Estadio Gran Parque Central, home of Montevideo based team, Club Nacional, that was played after the Yugoslav-Bolivia game on the 17th July.

The author of the article is anonymous but was written by a journalist working for Associated Press and is most likely a South American reporter on location in Uruguay.

Google was used to translate this document and is, therefore, subject to possible errors that would be better crafted by a professional translator. Spanish speakers are welcome to offer their opinions to help improve the text. You can read the original report here.

This game is regarded by Fifa as the match where Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hattrick. However, this article lists the American goalscorers as Goncalves (2 goals) and Florie. But there are many reasons to believe this is incorrect. For instance, the players did not wear numbered shirts and many of these players were unfamiliar to the South American press corp. Mistaken identity was common.

For further reading on the Bert Patenaude hattrick and the evidence to support it check out these previous articles:

Bert Patenaude and the First World Cup Hat-trick

Bert Patenaude and the First World Cup Hat-trick - Part Two

Bert Patenaude and the First World Cup Hat-trick - Part Three 

The Paraguay team prior to their World Cup match v the USA at the 1930 World Cup. ©Getty Images pic.twitter.com/mC2IfzTicO

— The Antique Football (@AntiqueFootball) June 5, 2014

How the Americans won.

MONTEVIDEO 17 (12 n.). In the match between Paraguayans and North Americans, the latter begins by opening an intense offensive and rejecting the counter-attacks carried out by the Paraguayan vanguard. In this first half, the American interior right Goncalves manages to score two goals for his team, without the Paraguayan goalkeeper can do anything to stop them.

Young fans watch US @ussoccer beat Paraguay @Albirroja 3-0 at the Parque Central @clubnacional on 17 July 1930 @FIFAWorldCup @1930WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8LOKgavqhF

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) September 10, 2017

In the second half, the dominance of the North American team is complete, except on rare occasions when the Paraguayan players manage to take the game to the ground of their opponents. The superiority of the North American team is accentuated more and more and in many occasions it manages to overflow the Paraguayan defence, developing a brilliant game and scoring a third goal, executed by Florie.

⚽️ #HistoriaMundiales #Rusia2018 #DatoGEB

URUGUAY 1930

El estadounidense Bert Patenaude se convirtió en el primer jugador que anota 3 goles en un mismo encuentro, se los hizo a Paraguay a los minutos 10, 15 y 50, en juego que terminó 3-0. pic.twitter.com/NrrWrOuH9s

— GEBDeportes (@GEBDeportes) May 27, 2018

Throughout the match, the Paraguayans have been powerless to contain the rapid attacks of the Americans, who have played with an admirable cohesion. As in the previous performances of this team, the public has been favorable to their opponents; but it is especially in this case that today's defeat eliminates the Paraguayans from the fight for the title of world champion, and also because the Paraguayan players have defeated the previous Uruguayan team in the South American championship, which constitutes a forecast unfavorable for the picture of Uruguay. (Associated Press.)

1er partido en la historia Paraguay-EEUU, Mundial 1930. Derrota de Py 3-0, dirigidos por Durand Laguna y capitaneado por Luis Vargas Peña. pic.twitter.com/gb1EEX8yLz

— Gianlucca Barni (@LucasBarni) March 27, 2018

The American role, on the rise

MONTEVIDEO 17 (12 n.). The victory obtained by the Americans over the Paraguayans, after an easy match, increases the impression existing in the public regarding the Yankees' chances in this world competition. (Associated Press.)

Match Report - Yugoslavia vs Bolivia (English translation from El Sol)

@WC1930blogger

This is the English translation of the match report that appeared in the 18th July issue of Spanish newspaper, El Sol, from 1930 of the Yugoslavia vs Bolivia game that was played at the Estadio Gran Parque Central, home of Montevideo based team, Club Nacional, that was played on the 17th July.

The author of the article is anonymous but was written by a journalist working for Associated Press and is most likely a South American reporter on location in Uruguay.

Google was used to translate this document and is, therefore, subject to possible errors that would be better crafted by a professional translator. Spanish speakers are welcome to offer their opinions to help improve the text. You can read the original report here.

Fudbalska reprezentacija Jugoslavije.Svetsko prvenstvo Urugvaj 1930 god. pic.twitter.com/0BIk7lAE6x

— Jelena Mitic (@JelenaM19289182) July 13, 2017

#UnaVueltaPorElPasado #Mundiales #Uruguay 1930. Se habló siempre del Error de #Bolivia en el homenaje a nuestro país, acá tenemos una foto con la frase de forma correcta pic.twitter.com/PEAucFJjJl

— Juan Pablo Taborda (@jptaborda74) May 7, 2018

The victory of Yugoslavia, over Bolivia

MONTEVIDEO 17 (12 n.).

At the meeting held this afternoon between the national teams of Yugoslavia and Bolivia, Bolivians began attacking strongly to their opponents and putting constantly threatens the Yugoslavian goal only due to the brilliant performance of their goalkeeper was not crossed by the Bolivian shots.

The Yugoslavs, faced with such continuous attacks, were forced to stay defensive at all times.

This dominance of the players of a Bolivia was maintained throughout the first half, but the referee marked the end of the period without either side having scored so much.

In the second half, the Yugoslavs begin a brilliant attack, which takes completely surprise to their opponents. The game is developed in inverse form to that of the first half. The Bolivian goalkeeper shows a lack of security and the whole team reveals that it lacks defensive technique. In these circumstances, the Yugoslavs mark four goals and undo all the Bolivian attacks, which were so brilliantly developed during the first half of the fight.

Imagen de Yugoslavia (4) vs Bolivia (0) en el marco de Uruguay '30. Julio 14 de 1930. #ElAmorEsRedondo pic.twitter.com/Dnvk1d81

— Любовь круглая (@ElAmorEsRedondo) July 13, 2012

At the beginning of the match, the Bolivians surprised the public with an effective game, which always kept the ball in Yugoslav territory, to the point that in the minds of all the spectators was the belief that they would win. But a few minutes into the second half, the Bolivians began to waver and Yugoslav domination prevailed.

The Bolivian team played most of the game with ten players because the player Gomez had to be removed from the field with a fractured leg within minutes of having started the first half.

Match Report - Chile vs Mexico (English translation from El Sol)

@WC1930blogger

This is an English translation of the report of the Chile vs Mexico match that was played on the 16 July and appeared in the Spanish newspaper, El Sol, on the 17 July 1930 via the news-agency Associated Press. The first cable-gram reached the offices of the paper at 10 pm of the 16th and contained a mere twenty-seven words and providing the most basic of information. One hour later a more extensive report was dispatched to the Spanish daily.

Google was used to translate this report and is subject to imperfections. Spanish speakers are welcome to offer their opinions to help better translate this document where the original report can be read here.

Caution should be taken when excepting the details in this account even if it is written by an anonymous eyewitness. For example, this report states that Subiabre scored the first two goals with Vidal netting the third. Most Chilean sources list Vidal as scoring the first and third, while the second was an own goal.

El Sol, 17 July 1930

1930- @miseleccionmx vs Chile.#HechoEnMéxico pic.twitter.com/Z6BItvNPvA

— History Liga MX (@History_LigaMX) March 24, 2017

MONTEVIDEO 16 (10 n.) .- In the qualifying match for the world championship, played this afternoon between the national teams of Chile and Mexico, the Chileans won by three goals against zero.
(Associated Press.)

World Cup 1930 referees #4 @RefereeingBooks Belgian ref Henri Christophe presides over the exchange of pennants between the captains of Mexico, Guittierez @DTdelTri & Chile, Carlos Schneeberger, before the CHI @LaRoja v MEX @FMF game (16.07.1930) @FIFAWorldCup #WC1930 @Uruguay pic.twitter.com/eNLmwfjX50

— worldcup1930project (@WC1930blogger) December 15, 2017

MONTEVIDEO 16 (11 n.). -The game played this afternoon by the national teams of Chile and Mexico has attracted little public, despite the great interest that aroused the performance of the Chilean players. This expectation for the game that the team from Chile would develop was due to the mystery that his training had been surrounded and to the belief that he would be a serious rival of the Argentine side in the final match of his series.

México – Chile en Uruguay 1930 https://t.co/xxvC4saYJN pic.twitter.com/Dd56E4kUzK

— Antonio Ortega Masot (@HistoriadFutbol) March 6, 2017

Four minutes into the match, the Chilean player Subriabre scored the first goal for his team. This seemed a check of the forecasts that were made before starting; but soon after the Chileans were confused by the impetuous offensive developed by the Mexicans. After a few minutes, managed to calm down, and managed to take the game to the Mexican field, but without gaining any advantage, mainly because each Chilean striker tried to score, regardless of whether his placement was favorable or not to get it. Both teams committed frequent fouls, which the referee did not punish. The game continued developing very moved, with superiority of the Chileans, although these showed signs of having little technique. The first half ends with the score of one to zero in favor of the Chilean team.

El primer gol de Chile en un mundial lo marcó Carlos "Zorro" Vidal, un 16 de julio de 1930. https://t.co/GtwZjpaChn pic.twitter.com/5DjeCwUSDv

— Historias del Fútbol (@Hdfchile) September 1, 2016

The second half started with several attacks by the Mexican players, which did not score any both the indecision in the shots and the low precision of his shots. A few minutes into the game the Chilean Subriabe scored again. From this moment the game became violent, and the Mexicans threatened the goal of their opponents because of the advanced position in which the Chilean defense was placed. After twenty minutes, Vidal scored the third goal for the Chileans. They continued to dominate these, although both their performance and that of their rivals is not very lucid. The Chilean Elgueta had to retire from the field to be injured. The referee reprimanded several players for playing hard; but he stopped punishing ruinous faults. The match ended with the victory of the Chileans by three goals to zero. (Associated Press.)

Unlucky Bolivia or false history?

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On July 17th, 1930, the Bolivian national team took to the field of Parque Central in Montevideo to face Yugoslavia in their Group Two match. The Bolivians were considered to be the weakest team in the group that also included Brazil. The Brazilians, just three days before, were surprisingly beaten by the Yugoslavs by two goals to one and were hoping for a Bolivian win in order to have any chance of advancing further in the tournament. As it transpired the Yugoslavs ran out 4-0 winners after a goalless first half and both Brazil and Bolivia were knocked out before they had the chance to play one another. 

One reason that the Bolivians were unlucky is that one of their players, Gumercindo Gomez, broke his leg in a challenge with Yugoslav defender Milutin Ivkovic around the eighth minute of the match. Substitutes were not permitted during this time and the South Americans had to play some eighty minutes with ten men. But the misfortune of Gomez is not the subject of this article because according to Cris Freddi in his The Complete Book of the World Cup (2002 edition), Bolivia had four goals disallowed. Freddi doesn't state the reasons why the Uruguayan referee Francisco Mateucci annulled the Bolivian strikes nor does he note the source of his claim. Indeed this claim would be repeated in an online article by The Guardian in 2010, most likely drawing on Freddi's account.

It would be understandable that the Bolivians would be much aggrieved not to come away with a four all draw or even a victory if such goals had dampened the resolve of their Yugoslav opponents. And such a controversy may have caused protest from the Brazilians believing some conspiracy may be afoot by the Uruguayan referee to knock out one of the seeded teams from the tournament that may challenge Uruguay for the title. 

How can one team be so unlucky to have four goals disallowed? Perhaps one or two but not four surely? If it all sounds incredulous it's because it never happened. Bora Jovanovic, the Yugoslav journalist who travelled to Montevideo to report for Belgrade newspaper Politika, wrote two dispatches on the match that were published in the July 18th and August 2nd editions of Politika and nowhere does he mention that Bolivia had four goals disallowed. Indeed he reports that it was the Yugoslavs that were unlucky with Marjanovic, Bek and Vujadinovic all striking their opponents crossbar early in the match. 

In the interest of playing Devil's Advocate maybe there was bias reporting on the part of Jovanovic who may have whitewashed it out of his account so not to question the legitimacy of his nation's 4-0 victory. So what did the Bolivian and Brazilian press report, those papers who have much to gain on such a scandalous sensation! 

Bolivia's La Razon, albeit publishing the cablegram from United Press (UP), is silent on the subject of their country's quadruple misfortune, indeed it describes how unlucky Alborta was when his shot hit the Yugoslav crossbar in the first half.

The same is true of the Brazilian newspapers. The reports that were written in Critica (18 July 1930), Diario de Noticias (18 July 1930), Folha da Manha (18 July 1930) and A Batalha make no mention of any such controversy. Many of these reports are extensively written with every foul, throw-in and shot at goal (wide or on target) described in an era before there was any television coverage and live radio reporting was new on the scene. These journalists were true chroniclers of the game and every chance to report on any such bad refereeing would be keenly accounted for. Even Spain's El Sol , with no axe to grind, make no such descriptions.

That's not to say that these contemporary football journalists are always right, we may look no further than the issue of Bert Patenaude's hat-trick against Paraguay. But this concerns the identity of goalscorers in a period when players bore no shirt numbers and not such incidences as four disallowed goals.

Cris Freddi's book is an impressive tome on the subject of the World Cup and is a worthy read but he is wrong on this issue. How did he make such a mistake? His bibliography contains no reference to any newspapers from the period and if I was to make an educated guess I believe he based his information on a mistranslation of a German magazine IFFHS Weltmeistershaft 1930, published in 1994, which describes the Bolivian crossbar being struck four times. However, I cannot be certain.

Yugoslavia vs Bolivia (youtube video)

1930 World Cup Semi-Final Uruguay - Yugoslavia (Joefa's World Cup History)

A youtube video from Joefa's World Cup History of the second semi-final between Uruguay and Yugoslavia, Please subscribe, like and share his channel.

A match report from Spain's El Sol, 28 July 1930, p6.

1930 World Cup Group 4 USA - Paraguay (Joefa's World Cup History)

This is a youtube video of USA v Paraguay by Joefa's World Cup History. This blogger helped provide photographic material for his project. Special thanks also to JC Blanc for providing material.
Go like, share and subscribe to his Youtube channel.

Read two Match Reports, in Spanish and Portuguese below:
El Sol
A Batalha

Further reading;

Bert Patenaude and the First World Cup Hat-trick

Bert Patenaude and the First World Cup Hat-trick - Part Two

1930 World Cup Group 2 Yugoslavia - Bolivia (Joefa's World Cup History)

This is a youtube video of Yugoslavia v Bolivia by Joefa's World Cup History. This blogger helped provide photographic material for his project. Special thanks also to JC Blanc for providing material.
Go like, share and subscribe to his Youtube channel.

Read two Match Reports below (one in Spanish, one in Portuguese):
El Sol
A Batalha

17 July 1930 - (World Cup Group 4) USA v Paraguay (Match Report in El Sol)

El Sol, 18 July 1930

The USA versus Paraguay match report (played on the 17th July) published in the Spanish language Madrid based newspaper El Sol on the 18th July 1930.

17 July 1930 - (World Cup Group 2) Yugoslavia v Bolivia (Match Report in El Sol)

El Sol, 18 July 1930

This is the match report of Yugoslavia versus Bolivia from the Spanish language Madrid based newspaper El Sol published on the 18 July 1930.