1939 South American Championship: Peru's Historic First Title
The 1939 South American Championship, known in Spanish as the Campeonato Sudamericano 1939, marked a pivotal moment in continental football. As the 15th international association football championship for members of the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL), the tournament provided the stage for Peru to claim its first-ever title in a thrilling competition hosted on home soil.
Running from January 15 to February 12, 1939, the event brought together five national teams to compete in a high-scoring battle for supremacy. The tournament culminated in a decisive clash that shifted the balance of power in South American football.
Key Facts
- Host Country: Peru
- Champion: Peru (First title)
- Runner-up: Uruguay
- Venue: Estadio Nacional, Lima
- Top Scorer: Teodoro Fernández (7 goals)
- Total Goals: 47 goals across 10 matches (4.7 per match)
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 celebrate the 100th anniversary of the May Revolution. This precursor involved Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. By 1916, a second centenary tournament was organized, inviting Brazil to join the fray. This event led to the official birth of the South American Championship and the founding of CONMEBOL on July 9, 1916.
Entering the 1939 edition, Argentina were the defending champions, having won the 1937 title. Uruguay remained the most successful team in the competition's history with seven titles. However, the 1939 field was reduced when Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil withdrew, leaving only five of the eight CONMEBOL members to compete.
Tournament Format and Venue
The competition utilized a round-robin format, a system where every participating team plays every other team exactly once. The champion was determined by the total number of points accumulated throughout the tournament.
All matches were hosted at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, a venue with a capacity of 40,000 spectators, providing a passionate atmosphere for the home side.
The Road to Victory
The tournament opened on January 15 with dominant performances from Paraguay and Peru. Peru set the tone early with a 5–2 victory over Ecuador, while Paraguay defeated Chile 5–1.
As the competition progressed, Uruguay emerged as a powerhouse, highlighted by a 6–0 rout of Ecuador featuring a hat-trick by Severino Varela. Peru remained unbeaten, securing a 3–1 win over Chile and a 3–0 victory against Paraguay. By the final stretch, Peru sat atop the table with a perfect record of six points from six.
The tension peaked on February 12. While Paraguay defeated Ecuador 3–1, the championship came down to the final match between Peru and Uruguay. Goals from Jorge Alcalde and Víctor Bielich secured a 2–1 victory for Peru, sealing their first championship title.
Individual Brilliance
The standout performer of the tournament was Teodoro Fernández. Not only did he finish as the top scorer with 7 goals, but he was also named the best player of the competition.
Tournament Summary
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peru | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 8 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 6 |
| 3 | Paraguay | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | Chile | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 2 |
| 5 | Ecuador | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 18 | -14 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1939 South American Championship?
Peru won the championship, marking the first time the country claimed the title.
Who was the top scorer of the tournament?
Teodoro Fernández was the top scorer and the best player of the tournament, netting a total of 7 goals.
Which teams withdrew from the 1939 competition?
Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil withdrew prior to the start of the tournament, meaning the defending champions, Argentina, were unable to compete.
Where were the matches played?
All matches took place at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru.
How was the winner decided?
The winner was decided via a round-robin format, where the team with the most points after playing every other participant was crowned champion.