Argentina vs Uruguay

Background

The match was the first World Cup final. A dispute over the match ball was resolved by using an Argentine ball for the first half and a Uruguayan ball for the second. Uruguay came from 1–2 down at half-time to win 4–2. The following day was declared a national holiday in Uruguay, and in Buenos Aires a mob threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate.

Did You Know?

• The last living player from the final was Argentine striker Francisco Varallo, who died on 30 August 2010 aged 100.
• The last living Uruguayan from the final was Ernesto Mascheroni, who died on 3 July 1984 aged 76.
• This was the first World Cup final to feature two Spanish-speaking countries; the only other such final was the 2026 final between Argentina and Spain.

Uruguay

Uruguay was placed in Group 3 alongside Peru and Romania. Their opening match against Peru at the Estadio Centenario was delayed by five days and began with a ceremony. In front of 90,000 spectators, the hosts appeared intimidated during the first half but secured a 1–0 victory thanks to a 65th-minute goal from Héctor Castro. After the match, the Uruguayan press called for a more aggressive attacking performance in the upcoming game against Romania. Uruguay later reached the knockout stage, where they won their semi-final 6–1.

Summary

In the final, Pablo Dorado gave Uruguay an early lead after 12 minutes. Argentina's Carlos Peucelle equalized eight minutes later with a powerful shot past goalkeeper Enrique Ballestrero. Tournament top scorer Guillermo Stábile put Argentina ahead 2–1 in the 37th minute. Uruguay leveled the score 12 minutes into the second half through Pedro Cea, then took the lead for good with a Santos Iriarte goal in the 68th minute. With one minute remaining, Héctor Castro made it 4–2, sealing Uruguay's victory in the inaugural World Cup. The match lasted 90 minutes with 30 minutes of extra time possible if needed, a replay if still tied, and no substitutions allowed.