Who scored the first goal in World Cup history?
Lucien Laurent, a French forward, scored the first ever FIFA World Cup goal. He struck a volley in the 19th minute against Mexico on the 13th of July 1930 at the Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Questions about Lucien Laurent
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When and where was Lucien Laurent born?
Lucien Laurent was born on the 10th of December 1907 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, in the Val-de-Marne near Paris. He died on the 11th of April 2005 in Besançon at the age of 97.
What club did Lucien Laurent play for at the 1930 World Cup?
At the time of the 1930 World Cup, Laurent played for Sochaux, which was then a workers team for the car manufacturer Peugeot. He was also employed by Peugeot and received only basic compensation from the French Football Federation during the tournament.
How many goals did Lucien Laurent score for France?
Lucien Laurent scored two international goals in ten appearances for France. The first was the historic opening goal of the 1930 World Cup against Mexico; the second came against England in May 1931.
What happened to Lucien Laurent during World War II?
Laurent joined the French armed forces during World War II and was captured. He spent three years as a prisoner of war in Saxony before being released in 1943, after which he played two years of wartime football for Besançon.
Did Lucien Laurent see France win the 1998 World Cup?
Yes. Laurent was the only surviving member of the 1930 French World Cup squad to witness France lift the 1998 FIFA World Cup trophy on home soil. He died seven years later in 2005.