<P> Thirteen teams (seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America) entered the tournament . Only a few European teams chose to participate because of the difficulty of travelling to South America . The teams were divided into four groups, with the winner of each group progressing to the semi-finals . The first two World Cup matches took place simultaneously, and were won by France and the United States, who defeated Mexico 4--1 and Belgium 3--0, respectively . Lucien Laurent of France scored the first goal in World Cup history, while US goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas posted the first official "clean sheet" in the tournament . </P> <P> Argentina, Uruguay, the United States and Yugoslavia each won their respective groups to qualify for the semi-finals . In the final, hosts and pre-tournament favourites Uruguay defeated Argentina 4--2 in front of a crowd of 68,346 people, and became the first nation to win the World Cup . </P> <P> Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary and Uruguay all lodged applications to host the event . Uruguay's bid became the clear selection after all the other countries withdrew their bids . </P> <P> The first World Cup was the only one without qualification . Every country affiliated with FIFA was invited to compete, and given a deadline of 28 February 1930 to accept . Plenty of interest was shown by nations in the Americas; Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and the United States all entered . A total of seven South American teams participated, more than in any subsequent World Cup Finals . However, because of the long and costly trip by ship across the Atlantic Ocean, and the length of absence required for players, very few European teams were inclined to take part . Some refused to countenance travel to South America in any circumstances, and no European entries were received before the February deadline . In an attempt to gain some European participation, the Uruguayan Football Association sent a letter of invitation to The Football Association, even though the British Home Nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) had resigned from FIFA at the time . This was rejected by the FA Committee on 18 November 1929 . Two months before the start of the tournament, no team from Europe had officially entered . FIFA president Jules Rimet intervened, and eventually four European teams made the trip by sea: Belgium, France, Romania, and Yugoslavia . The Romanians, managed by Constantin Rădulescu and coached by their captain Rudolf Wetzer and Octav Luchide, entered the competition following the intervention of newly crowned King Carol II . He selected the squad personally, and negotiated with employers to ensure that the players would still have jobs upon their return . The French entered at the personal intervention of Rimet, but neither France's star defender Manuel Anatol nor the team's regular coach Gaston Barreau could be persuaded to make the trip . The Belgians participated at the instigation of German - Belgian FIFA vice-president Rodolphe Seeldrayers . </P>

What was the score of the first world cup