Alex Thépot
Encyclopedia
Alexis 'Alex' Thépot was a French
football
player. He was the goalkeeper
of the French national team
in the first two World Cups
, 1930 and 1934.
Born in Brest
, Finistère
, Thépot played for the clubs Armoricaine de Brest (1922-1927), FEC Levallois (1927-28), Red Star FC (1928-1935), and USL Dunkerque
(1935-1936). After a good year with Levallois, he was selected to play his first international match against England in 1927.
From 1927 to 1935, Thépot played in 31 international matches, conceding 77 goals, and was captain of the French team 13 times. He played France's only match at the 1928 Olympic Games
, a 3-4 loss to Italy
.
Thépot appeared in France's first ever World Cup match against Mexico
in 1930, although he had to abandon the match during the first half due to an injury, being replaced in goal by half
Augustin Chantrel
. Thépot would come back and play in the next two matches, but his team was unable to go past the group stage, losing to Argentina
1-0 on a late goal, and 1-0 to Chile
, despite having saved a penalty kick
while the match was still 0-0.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. He was the goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
of the French national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
in the first two World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, 1930 and 1934.
Born in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, Finistère
Finistère
Finistère is a département of France, in the extreme west of Brittany.-History:The name Finistère derives from the Latin Finis Terræ, meaning end of the earth, and may be compared with Land's End on the opposite side of the English Channel...
, Thépot played for the clubs Armoricaine de Brest (1922-1927), FEC Levallois (1927-28), Red Star FC (1928-1935), and USL Dunkerque
USL Dunkerque
USL Dunkerque is a French football club based in the commune of Dunkirk.They currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A. The club's nickname is The Doves. Their kit colours are white and blue. They play their home matches at the Stade Tribut in Dunkirk.-History:The club was...
(1935-1936). After a good year with Levallois, he was selected to play his first international match against England in 1927.
From 1927 to 1935, Thépot played in 31 international matches, conceding 77 goals, and was captain of the French team 13 times. He played France's only match at the 1928 Olympic Games
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics tournament, won by Uruguay against Argentina, would be the precursor to the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay.-Medalists:-Background:...
, a 3-4 loss to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
.
Thépot appeared in France's first ever World Cup match against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in 1930, although he had to abandon the match during the first half due to an injury, being replaced in goal by half
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Augustin Chantrel
Augustin Chantrel
Augustin Chantrel was a French former football halfback. He played for several local clubs and became a member of the French national team, whom he represented at the 1928 Olympic Games and at the 1930 World Cup.During his youth, Chantrel played for the Paris Université Club , until Paris team...
. Thépot would come back and play in the next two matches, but his team was unable to go past the group stage, losing to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
1-0 on a late goal, and 1-0 to Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
, despite having saved a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
while the match was still 0-0.