World Cup history: Opening goalscorers

Jonathan Roorda - 9 June 2006 15:38

Papa Bouba Diop in 2002 (Allsport)

MUNICH, Jun 9 (SW) - The opening match of the World Cup does not only mean the start of the tournament, but also gives players the chance to score the first goal of the event. Who had this honor in the past?

<b>1930 (Uruguay)</b>

France - Mexico 4-1

Opening goal: Laurent (FRA), 19th minute

<b>1934 (Italy)</b>

Sweden - Argentina 3-2

Opening goal: Belis (ARG) 4th minute

<i>Note: All first round matches, eight in total, were played at the same time.</i>

<b>1938 (France)</b>

Switzerland - Germany 1-1

Opening goal: Gauchel (GER), 29th minute

<b>1950 (Brazil)</b>

Brazil - Mexico 4-0

Opening goal: Ademir (BRA) 31st minute

<b>1954 (Switzerland)</b>

Yugoslavia - France 1-0

Opening goal: Milutinovic (YUG) 14th minute

<b>1958 (Sweden)</b>

Sweden - Mexico 3-0

Opening goal: Simonsson (SWE) 17th minute

<b>1962 (Chile)</b>

Argentina - Bulgaria 1-0

Opening goal: Facundo (ARG) 4th minute

<i>Note: Four opening matches were played at the same time, one for every group.</i>

<b>1966 (England)</b>

Brazil - Bulgaria 2-0

Opening goal: Pelé (BRA) 14th minute

<i>Note: The actual opening match between England and Uruguay ended 0-0.</i>

<b>1970 (Mexico)</b>

Peru - Bulgaria 3-2

Opening goal: Dermendzhiev (BUL) 12th minute

<i>Note: The actual opening match between Mexico and the Soviet Union ended 0-0.</i>

<b>1974 (West Germany)</b>

West Germany - Chile 1-0

Opening goal: Breitner (GER), 16th minute

<i>Note: The actual opening match between Brazil and Yugoslavia ended 0-0.</i>

<b>1978 (Argentina)</b>

Italy - France 2-1

Opening goal: Lacombe (FRA), 1st minute (38th second)

<i>Note: The actual opening match between Poland and West Germany ended 0-0.</i>

<b>1982 (Spain)</b>

Belgium - Argentina 1-0

Opening goal: Van den Bergh (BEL), 62nd minute

<b>1986 (Mexico)</b>

Italy - Bulgaria 1-1

Opening goal: Altobelli (ITA), 44th minute

<b>1990 (Italy)</b>

Cameroon - Argentina 1-0

Opening goal: Omam Biyik (CAM) 67th minute

<b>1994 (USA)</b>

Germany - Bolivia 1-0

Opening goal: Klinsmann (GER) 61st minute

<b>1998 (France)</b>

Brazil - Scotland 2-1

Opening goal: César Sampaio (BRA) 5th minute

<b>2002 (Japan and South Korea)</b>

France - Senegal 0-1

Opening goal: Diop (SEN) 30th minute