International Football
IT’S 90 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST WORLD CUP FINAL
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
How time flies! It is 90 years today since the first FIFA World Cup final was played. What looked like a mere laboratory experiment has grown today to be the biggest single sporting event as the FIFA World Cup has become the most coveted and the biggest sports’ prize in the world.
The first final match, which took place on this date, 30 July 1930, was a contest between hosts, Uruguay and Argentina at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. The hosts won 4-2.
The World Cup final match was a replay of the gold medal match of the preceding Olympic Games at Amsterdam 1928. The Olympic Games final match was won, 2-1 by Uruguay after a replay after a 1-1 draw in the initial final match.
It was the last time for many years that a South American team won the Olympic gold as subsequent 13 tournaments spanning 68 years were won by European nations until that of 1996 when Nigeria sensationally broke the trend.
The 1930 World Cup was contested the only one contested without a qualifying tournament. It was by general invitation and only 13 teams from three confederations attended.
In the final match, the two teams had to provide the balls for the game. The first half was played with the ball supplied by Argentina who also led 2-1 at halftime.
The ball supplied by Uruguay was used in the second half and they won the game 4-2, to double as both Olympic and World Cup winners.
Their coach at the time, Alberto Suppici, aged 31, remains the youngest coach ever to win the World Cup.
Seventy years down the line, all the major characters of the World Cup are dead. The last living player was Francisco Varallo of Argentina. He died aged 100 on 30 August 2010.
The last surviving player of the first World Cup winners was Ernestp Mascheroni who died, aged 76 on 3 July 1984. The last surviving journalist of the first World Cup was
Luis Alfredo Sciutto, a Uruguayan journalist who wrote under the pen name – Diego Lucero.
He covered a record 15 editions of the World Cup from 1930 to USA ’94.
He passed away on 3 June 1995, aged 94. The 1930 World Cup final match was played on a Wednesday, which along with that of 1966, the only final not played on a Sunday. The 1966 final was on a Saturday.
Conjointly with the 1930 final match, the 1966 edition is also having its anniversary today, as it is 54 years since it was played. The 1930 remains the only one not played on a weekend.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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