Isabelino Gradín
Juan Delgado
On July 2nd 1916 the first ever match of the Copa America (South American Championship of Nations) was played in Buenos Aires. Uruguay (the eventual winners) defeated Chile 4-0.
Penarol's Isabelino Gradín scored two of the goals. Following the game Chile appealed for the result to be scratched as Uruguay had fielded 'African' players. Desperation or ignorance? Both Gradin and his teammate Juan Delgado were Uruguay born, and were the forerunners of a succession of black players to wear the celestial blue.
