Lucien Laurent
Lucien Laurent entered the world on the 10th of December 1907 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, a town near Paris. His family already knew the game well before he ever kicked a ball. Jean Laurent served as his older brother and also played football for France. The two brothers shared a deep connection to the sport from their youth. Lucien began playing for semi-professional teams between 1921 and 1930. He spent those years with Cercle Athlétique de Paris while still developing his skills.
History changed at the Estadio Pocitos stadium in Montevideo on the 13th of July 1930. A young forward named Lucien Laurent scored the first goal in FIFA World Cup history during that match against Mexico. The strike came as a volley in the 19th minute of play. France won the game 4, 1 but eventually lost their remaining group matches to Argentina and Chile. Laurent was ruled out of the third game due to an injury sustained earlier in the tournament. This single moment defined his legacy forever.
Laurent earned ten caps for the French national team over several years. He scored only one other goal against England in May 1931 at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir. That friendly match ended with a 5, 2 result for France. He had been named to the squad for the 1934 World Cup but could not play because of an injury. His international career remained short despite his early fame. He moved to Rennes after the 1930s began and played there until 1937 before joining RC Strasbourg.
The Second World War interrupted his life when he joined the French armed forces. German forces captured him shortly after the conflict began. He spent three years as a prisoner of war in Saxony before being released in 1943. During this time, he played two years of wartime football for Besançon. The harsh conditions of captivity did not stop him from playing the sport he loved. His release marked the end of a long period of uncertainty and confinement.
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Common questions
When and where was Lucien Laurent born?
Lucien Laurent entered the world on the 10th of December 1907 in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, a town near Paris. His family already knew the game well before he ever kicked a ball.
Who scored the first goal in FIFA World Cup history for Lucien Laurent?
A young forward named Lucien Laurent scored the first goal in FIFA World Cup history during that match against Mexico at the Estadio Pocitos stadium in Montevideo on the 13th of July 1930. The strike came as a volley in the 19th minute of play.
How many caps did Lucien Laurent earn for the French national team?
Laurent earned ten caps for the French national team over several years. He scored only one other goal against England in May 1931 at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir.
Why was Lucien Laurent unable to play in the third game of the 1930 tournament?
Laurent was ruled out of the third game due to an injury sustained earlier in the tournament. This single moment defined his legacy forever despite France winning the initial game 4, 1.
Where did Lucien Laurent spend three years as a prisoner of war during the Second World War?
German forces captured him shortly after the conflict began and he spent three years as a prisoner of war in Saxony before being released in 1943. During this time, he played two years of wartime football for Besançon.