Uruguay World Cup History

The Nation of Uruguay will be making their 11^th appearance in the World Cup Finals in 2010 and their first since 2002. They have the distinction of being the first nation to win the World Title. In 40 World Cup Finals matches Uruguay has won 15 drew 10 and lost 15. Here is a look back at how Urugauy has fared in the World Cup.

1930 - Uruguay. Uruguay was given the honor of hosting the first World Cup and they did not disappoint as they became the first nation to hoist the trophy. 13 teams participated in the event, though most of the top European teams did not make the three week journey to South America. Placed in group 3 with Romania and Peru, Uruguay easily won their two matches to advance to the semi-finals. They defeated Peru1-0 and easily dispatched of Romania 4-0. In the semi-finals Uruguay easily defeated Yugoslavia by a score of 6-1 to advance to the finals. In a rematch of the 1928 Olympic final, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 to capture the first World Championship. Pedro Cea was the star for the Uruguayan side with 5 goals.

1950 - Brazil. After choosing not to participate in the previous two World Cups (1934 and 1938) Uruguay returned to the finals in 1950 and once again walked away with the trophy. Having only one other team in their group, Bolivia, Uruguay easily advanced to the final round. They defeated Bolivia 8-0, the most lopsided game of the tournament. Uruguay advanced to the final round along with Brazil, Sweden and Spain. After drawing against Spain (2-2) and defeating Sweden (3-2), Uruguay advanced to the finals to play Brazil. In the final game Uruguay defeated Brazil by a score of 2 - 1 to capture their second title. Oscar Miguez was the leading scorer for Uruguay with five goals, followed by Alcides Ghiggiawith four goals.

1954 - Switzerland. Uruguay once again reached the World Cup finals as the defending World Champions. They were placed into group 3 along with Austria, Scotland and Czechoslovakia. Uruguay easily advanced to the next round by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-0 and Scotland 7-0. Uruguay would defeat England 4-2 in the quarterfinals, but than would lose to Hungary, the eventual tournament winner in the semi-finals by a score of 4-2. In the semi-final match against Hungary, in a game considered by many to be the greatest World Cup match in history, the score was tied at 2 after regulation but Hungary went on to score 2 goals in extra time to win 4-2. Uruguay would have to play Austria in the third place game, a game in which they lost 3-1 to finish fourth in the tournament. With four goals Carlos Borges was the top scorer four Uruguay.

1962 - Chile. After missing the 1958 tournament Uruguay returned in 1962. They were placed in Group A with Columbia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. After defeating the Columbian squad in their first match by a score of 2-1, Uruguay lost their next two matches 3-1 to Yugoslavia and 2-1 to the Soviet Union. Uruguay did not advance out of the opening round.

1966 - England. Uruguay returned to the finals in 1966 and were placed into Group A along with England, the host nation, France and Mexico. Uruguay played strong and earned a spot in the quarterfinals by defeating France 2-1 and drawing against England and Mexico (both games were 0-0). In the quarter-finals Uruguay lost to West Germany, who would lose the final game to England, by a score of 3-1.

1970 - Mexico. Uruguay entered the 1970 tournament as on of the favorites to win it all. They were the top seed Group B playing alongside Italy, Israel and Sweden Despite losing to Sweden by a score of 1-0, Uruguay advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Israel 2-0 and drawing against Italy 0-0. In the quarterfinals Uruguay met the Soviet Union, with neither scoring in full time, Uruguay managed to win the game when Victor Esparrago scored in extra time to give the Uruguayans the game 1-0. The Soviet Union did protest the game winning goal but the FIFA governing body rejected their claim and Uruguay advanced to the semi-finals where they were defeated by the eventual champions Brazil by a score of 3-1. Uruguay played in the third place game but lost to West Germany 1-0 to finish fourth in the tournament.

1974- West Germany. In 1974 the Uruguay squad had their worst showing in the finals to date. They were placed in Group C with the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Sweden. Uruguay only managed to draw against Bulgaria 1-1 and lost to the Dutch 2-0 and Sweden 3-0. Uruguay failed to advance passed the first round.

1986 - Mexico. After failing to qualify for the last two World Cup Finals, Uruguay returned to the World Stage in 1986. They were placed in Group E along with West Germany, Denmark and Scotland. Uruguay managed to draw against both West Germany (1-1) and Scotland (0-0) but were embarrassed by Denmark, losing by a score of 6-1, their worst defeat in World Cup history. With the lose Uruguay failed to move past the first round.

1990 - Italy. Uruguay returned to the finals in 1990 and were placed in Group E with South Korea, Spain and Belgium. Uruguay drew against Spain in their opening match, 0-0 and lost to Belgium 3-1 in their next match. They managed to salvage their final opening round game by defeating the South Koreans 1-0. With the win Uruguay managed to qualify for the second round despite finishing third in their group. In the second round they lost 2-0 to the host nation Italy and were eliminated from the tournament.

2002 Korea/Japan. After a 12 year absence the Uruguayans returned to the finals in 2002. They were placed into Group A along with France, who were the defending World Champions, Denmark and Senegal. Uruguay lost to Denmark 2-1 in their first match but managed to draw against France in their next game 0-0. Needing a win in their final opening round game against Senegal to advance to the knockout stage Uruguay could only manage a draw, 3-3, and were sent home for the tournament finishing third in their group.

Source: www.fifa.com