1917 South American Championship: Uruguay Retains Continental Glory
The 1917 South American Championship marked the second international association football tournament for members of the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL). Hosted by Uruguay, the competition took place from September 30 to October 14, 1917, bringing together the national teams of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay to compete for continental supremacy.
As the defending champions and hosts, Uruguay entered the tournament with high expectations. In a tense competition that culminated in a decisive final clash, Uruguay successfully defended their title, securing their second championship victory.
Key Facts
- Champions: Uruguay (2nd title)
- Host City: Montevideo, Uruguay
- Venue: Parque Pereira
- Top Scorer: Ángel Romano (4 goals)
- Total Attendance: 128,000 spectators
- Format: Round-robin (each team played every other team once)
Historical Background
The roots of the South American Championship trace back to 1910, when the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) organized the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the May Revolution. This precursor event involved Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
Six years later, the AFA organized another tournament to celebrate the centenary of the Argentine Declaration of Independence. This event expanded to include Brazil and officially became the South American Championship. During this inaugural 1916 competition, the four participating associations met on July 9, 1916, to found CONMEBOL, the governing body for football in South America.
Tournament Format and Venue
The 1917 edition utilized a round-robin format, a system where every participating team plays against every other team exactly once. The champion was determined by the total number of points accumulated throughout the matches.
All matches were hosted at the Parque Pereira in Montevideo, a venue with a capacity of 40,000 spectators, providing a centralized location for the four competing nations.
Tournament Summary
The competition opened on September 30 with a dominant 4–0 victory for Uruguay over Chile. The momentum shifted slightly on October 3, when Argentina overcame a deficit to defeat Brazil 4–2, followed by a 1–0 win over Chile on October 6. By the midpoint of the tournament, Argentina held the top position with four points.
Uruguay regained ground on October 7 by defeating Brazil 4–0, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all finale. Meanwhile, Brazil concluded their campaign on October 12 with a 5–0 victory over Chile.
The championship was decided on October 14 in front of a capacity crowd of 40,000. Héctor Scarone scored the solitary goal of the match, leading Uruguay to a 1–0 victory over Argentina and ensuring the hosts retained their title.
Top Performers
The tournament saw a total of 21 goals scored across six matches, averaging 3.5 goals per game. Ángel Romano emerged as the top scorer with four goals, while Carlos Scarone also made a significant impact with three goals.
Tournament Statistics
| Position | Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 6 |
| 2 | Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | Brazil | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 2 |
| 4 | Chile | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1917 South American Championship?
Uruguay won the championship, successfully defending their title by finishing first in the round-robin standings.
Who was the top goalscorer of the tournament?
Ángel Romano was the top scorer, netting a total of 4 goals during the competition.
Where were the matches played?
All matches took place at the Parque Pereira stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.
How was the winner of the tournament decided?
The winner was decided by the total number of points obtained across a round-robin format, where each team played every other participant once.
Which match decided the final championship?
The final match between Uruguay and Argentina decided the title, with Uruguay winning 1–0 thanks to a goal by Héctor Scarone.