1942 South American Championship: Uruguay's Eighth Title Triumph
The seventeenth edition of the South American Championship—the prestigious association football competition now known as the Copa América—took place in Montevideo, Uruguay. Held from 10 January to 7 February 1942, the tournament showcased the elite talent of the continent in a high-scoring battle for regional supremacy.
For the first time in the competition's history, seven nations participated: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and the host nation, Uruguay. While the event saw a record number of teams, Bolivia and Colombia both withdrew from the tournament.
All matches were hosted at a single venue, the iconic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, which boasted a capacity of 65,235 spectators.
Key Facts
- Champions: Uruguay (their 8th title).
- Host City: Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Total Goals: 81 goals scored across 21 matches (average of 3.86 per match).
- Top Scorers: Herminio Masantonio and José Manuel Moreno (7 goals each).
- Record Margin: Argentina's 12–0 victory over Ecuador remains the widest margin of victory in the tournament's history as of 2015.
Tournament Format and Competition
The 1942 championship utilized a round-robin format, meaning every team played against every other participant once. The scoring system awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a defeat.
Historic Performances and Milestones
The tournament was marked by several extraordinary individual and team achievements. Most notably, Argentina's José Manuel Moreno reached a historic milestone during a match against Ecuador. By scoring five goals in a 12–0 rout, Moreno surpassed the 500-goal mark in Copa América history.
The offensive prowess of Argentina was further highlighted by Herminio Masantonio, who joined Moreno as the tournament's joint top scorer with 7 goals.
Controversies and Drama
The competition was not without tension. During a match between Argentina and Chile on 31 January, the Chilean team left the pitch in the 43rd minute to protest the performance of the referee. Consequently, Argentina was awarded the victory, though no goals were recorded for the match.
Final Standings and Results
Uruguay secured the championship after a series of dominant performances, ultimately clinching their eighth title with a decisive 1–0 victory over Argentina in the final match on 7 February.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguay | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 2 | +19 | 12 |
| Argentina | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 6 | +15 | 10 |
| Brazil | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 7 |
| Paraguay | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 6 |
| Peru | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
| Chile | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 15 | -11 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 31 | -27 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1942 South American Championship?
Uruguay won the tournament, claiming their eighth title.
Which match had the largest goal difference?
The match between Argentina and Ecuador ended in a 12–0 victory for Argentina, which remains the widest margin of victory in the history of the competition as of 2015.
Who were the top scorers of the tournament?
Herminio Masantonio and José Manuel Moreno of Argentina were the joint top scorers, each netting 7 goals.
Where were the matches played?
All matches took place at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.
How many teams participated in the 1942 edition?
Seven teams participated: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.