Nasazzi was Uruguay's greatest-ever player, not so much for his impressive abilities as a rightback as for the leadership qualities which earned him the nickname "The Marshal."
As captain, Nasazzi had already won Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928 and the Copa America in 1923, 1924 and 1926 by the time Uruguay was chosen to host the inaugural World Cup.
With home advantage, and with many of the strongest European teams choosing to stay at home, Uruguay's only real challenge for the title came from neighbor Argentina.
In the first round Nasazzi's side started nervously against Peru, winning 1-0, but it found it stride in a 4-0 win over Romania. In the semifinals the United States was swept aside 6-1, setting up a showdown against its rival from across the Rio de la Plata.
In front of 93,000 at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario the home side trailed 2-1 at halftime. But Nasazzi rallied his side and it outplayed Argentina in the second half to win 4-2, claim the trophy and spark days of wild celebrations in the Uruguayan capital.
Uruguay declined to defend its title in Italy in 1934 in protest at the European sides' absence four years earlier but Nasazzi continued to play until 1937 and won the Copa America again in 1935.
