TRIVIA: A LIST OF FIRSTS IN THE CUP

The first World Cup match was played between France and Mexico at Pocitos on July 13, 1930.

The first World Cup goal was scored by France’s Louis Laurent against Mexico on July 13, 1930.

The first player to be sent off in a World Cup was Peru captain Mario de las Casas against Romania on July 14, 1930. Referee Alberto Warken of Chile ordered Kases to leave the field since red cards were not introduced then.

Uruguay are the only team who refused to defend their World Cup title — in Italy, 1934 — as a protest against Italy’s apparent snubbing of the 1930 edition.

Italy are the first to successfully defend the World Cup. They beat Czechoslovkia 2-1 to win in 1934 and beat Hungary 4-2 in 1938.

The first World Cup to be televised was Switzerland, 1954.

The first player to score 10 goals in a single edition was Sandor Kocsis of Hungary. He scored 11 in five matches in 1954. The first ever goalless draw was between England and Brazil at Gotembourg, Sweden in 1958.

The 1962 World Cup in Chile was the first edition to apply the goal difference rule.

Ferenc Puskas became the first player to play for two countries when he played for Spain against Czechoslovakia in 1962. He had represented Hungary in 1954.

Mexico ’keeper Antonio Carbajal was the first to play in five World Cups between 1950 and 1966.