Estadio Centenario
 | |
 | |
| Full name | Estadio Centenario |
|---|---|
| Location |  URU Montevideo Uruguay |
| Coordinates | 34°53′40″S 56°9′10″W / 34.89444°S 56.15278°W |
| Owner | Departmental Government of Montevideo |
| Operator | AUFI |
| Capacity | 65,235 |
| Record attendance | 93,000 (Uruguay-Yugoslavia, 27 July 1930) |
| Field size | 105 x 68 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 21 July 1929 |
| Built | 1929–1930 (8 months) |
| Opened | July 18 1930 |
| Construction cost | $ 1,000,000 |
| Architect | Juan Antonio Scasso |
Estadio Centenario is a stadium in Parque Batlle, Montevideo, Uruguay, used primarily for football. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as to commemorate the centennial of Uruguay's first constitution. It is listed by FIFA as one of the football world's classic stadiums, along with the likes of Maracanã, Wembley Stadium, San Siro, Estadio Azteca, and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[1] On July 18, 1983, it was declared by FIFA as the only historical monument of World Football, the only building of its kind (worldwide).
The Uruguayan national team has always been a threat when playing in their home stadium, consistently beating top teams. Even the top ranked Brazil national football team has only managed 3 wins in 20 opportunities, although only one was an official match.
History
The Centenario is one of the most important stages in the development of sports in South America and international football. It was built especially for the organization of the 1930 FIFA World Cup, by immigrant workers in a record time of nine months. Its name originates from the celebration of 100 years of the swearing in of the first Constitution of Uruguay.
At first, in the Centenario would be made all World Cup matches. However, heavy rains in Montevideo prevented the end of the construction of the stadium, so that several matches had to be made in the Pocitos Stadium of Club Atlético Peñarol, and the Parque Central of Club Nacional de Football. It was inaugurated on July 18, 1930, in the match between Uruguay and Peru, gaining victory skyblue selection by 1–0, with a goal of Hector "Manco" Castro.[2]
The end of the World cup faced Uruguay and Argentina, with Uruguay winning 4–2.[3] Since then, the Centenario was the seat of Copa America (1942, 1956, 1967 1995), two South American Youth Championship (1979, 2003), a South American Under-17 Football Championship (1999) and Mundialito 1980.
Tenants
Aside from the Uruguayan national team, any football club can rent the stadium for its home games.[4] Peñarol has done that for nearly every game in the past years,[5] while Nacional rents it for some international games.[6] In the case of other Uruguayan teams, they often decide to play there against both Peñarol and Nacional.[5][6]
Grandstands
The stadium has four Grandstand separated by four lanes. The main one is the Olympic Tribune (and lower Platea known as Olympic), which is named so because the team had won two Olympic championships in a row (1924 and 1928). This has a maximum capacity of 21,648 spectators located in the three rings and the audience.[7] Then there are the popular, so called because they are sold cheaper, these are: the Colombes, in honor of the town of France in which the national team became olympic champions 1924 and Amsterdam, because it was where the celeste were crowned Olympic champions for the second time in 1928. The Grandstand Colombes accommodates 16,414 spectators while the Amsterdam accommodates 16,423. The America Tribune is parallel to the Olympic one. This are the boxes VIP and the boxes of journalists that has room for 1,882 spectators, as well as the platform has room for 2,911 spectators audience, the Grandstand also has room for 5,957 people.
Football museum
The tower of the stadium houses the football museum.[8][9]
1930 FIFA World Cup
The stadium was built as the main host stadium for the 1930 World Cup. The stadium hosted every team in the competition in 10 matches, including both semi-finals and the final. Below is the list of the matches played at Centenario during the 1930 World Cup.
Group 3 match
Group 1 match
Group 1 match
Argentina  | 6 – 3 |  Mexico |
|---|---|---|
Stábile  8', 45', 80'Zumelzú 12', 55'Varallo 53' |
(Report) | M. Rosas 42' (pen.), 65' Gayón 75' |
Group 2 match
Group 4 match
Paraguay  | 1 – 0 |  Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Vargas Peña 40' |
(Report) |
Group 3 match
Group 1 match
Semi-final match
| Argentina | 6 – 1 |  United States |
|---|---|---|
| Monti 20' Scopelli 56'Stábile 69', 87'Peucelle 80', 85' |
(Report) | Brown 89' |
Semi-final match
Final match
Concerts
The stadium has held numerous concerts by both national and international artists such as:[10]
References
3. Gigapan Estadio Centenario.
External links
