Agustín Héctor Castro Rodríguez (29 November 1904 – 15 September 1960) was a Uruguayan football player and coach. He scored Uruguay's first ever goal in a World Cup against Peru at the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, which they would go on to win.

Early life

Castro was born in Montevideo. When he was 13, he accidentally amputated his right forearm while using an electric saw, which gave origin to his nickname, El manco (meaning "the one-armed", or "the maimed").

Playing career

International career

Castro made his debut for the Uruguay national football team in November 1923. He played his final match for la Celeste in August 1935 having played 25 times, scoring 18 goals.

1928 Olympics

Playing for Uruguay at the 1928 Olympic Games Castro won a gold medal.

1930 FIFA World Cup

Castro was in the Uruguay squad for the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup. He scored Uruguay's first ever goal at a World Cup and the first at the Estadio Centenario, in their opening group game against Peru on 18 July 1930. He also scored their fourth goal in the final, a 4–2 win against Argentina.

South American Championship

Castro played in South American Championship-winning teams in 1926 and 1935.

International goals

Uruguay's goal tally first

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Castro worked as a football coach with Nacional. He won the Uruguayan championship in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, and again in 1952.

Later life and death

Castro died in 1960 at the age of fifty five.

Honours

As a player

• FIFA World Cup: 1930

• Copa América: 1926, 1935

• Summer Olympics Gold Medal: 1928

As a coach

• Uruguayan Championship: 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1952

As an assistant coach

• Uruguayan Championship: 1939

Castro was assistant coach to William Reaside in 1939 but was coach in the finals for that year's tournament. Therefore, he was Nacional's coach at all five years of the Quinquenio de Oro's closing games.

References