USA "fought" for the first World Cup hat-trick for almost 80 years

On July 17, 1930, at the Parque Central Stadium, in Uruguay, the North American Bert Patenaude became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup.

But for almost 80 years, the feat was not officially recognized by FIFA. Argentine Guillermo Stábile was competing for the mark with three goals scored in the same World Cup.

Historical confusion
The archives of the North American federation tell the story we all know: the first World Cup in history had no reputation, and had little support from the major teams. It was a chance for the country to do well, even with little - or no - tradition in the sport at the time.

The Americans always considered that Patenaude had scored three times in the team's second game - at 10 minutes, at 15 and at 50, but, for some reason, the second had not been counted in the official match sheet.

Reports credited the goal to another North American, Florie, and some reports claimed it was an own goal, which led to Stabile being recognized for the brand for decades.

The Argentine's three goals in the South American team's 6-3 victory over Mexico two days later, on July 19, 1930.

Almost 80 years later, justice
The United States' movement to change understanding at FIFA began with the historian of the American Football Federation, Colin Jose. To the entity, he reported a conversation with Arnie Oliver, reserve from the 1930 team, who confirmed the feat.

In an interview with the English newspaper The Guardian, Jose had access to the testimony of another athlete at the time, a report from the American coach, Wilfrid Cummings, as well as a record from a media guide who also endorsed the story.

Two reports were the missing pieces to complete the puzzle. Both the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo and the Argentine newspaper La Prensa attributed the three goals to Patenaude - with assistance from Florie.

Armed with all the evidence, he went to FIFA. Years later, in 2006, football's highest governing body made it official.

Records for the United States
At that time, Patenaude scored in the semi-final against Argentina, when the United States were defeated 6-1.

To this day, Patenaude is the player with the most goals scored for the country in the history of the World Cup.

See the ranking of the most valuable squads of the World Cup

Source: CNN