South American Championship 1959: Argentina's 12th Title and Pelé's Brilliance
The 1959 South American Championship stands as a fascinating chapter in football history, marked by administrative turmoil, high-scoring matches, and the emergence of one of the game's greatest legends. Held in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the tournament saw the host nation secure their 12th continental title in a competition defined by intense rivalry and offensive flair.
The event took place from March 7 to April 4, with all matches hosted at the iconic Monumental Stadium, a venue boasting a capacity of 67,664. While the tournament was a triumph for Argentina, it was also a showcase for Brazil's Pelé, who dominated the individual statistics and cemented his status as a global superstar.
Key Facts
- Champion: Argentina (their 12th title).
- Runner-up: Brazil.
- Top Scorer & Best Player: Pelé (Brazil) with 8 goals.
- Host City: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Venue: Monumental Stadium.
- Total Goals: 86 goals across 21 matches (average of 4.1 per match).
Tournament Controversy and Organization
The road to the 1959 championship was fraught with diplomatic tension. Originally, Ecuador was designated as the host country. However, due to infrastructure challenges and financial difficulties, Ecuador withdrew shortly before the start date. Argentina volunteered to step in, utilizing the resources of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to organize the event in Buenos Aires.
This sudden change sparked a dispute among several South American nations. Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile questioned the legitimacy of Argentina receiving the hosting rights without a formal bidding process. In protest, these nations organized a separate competition known as the "Copa del Atlántico." Despite this friction, the official South American Championship proceeded with seven participating teams from the CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) confederation, though Colombia and Ecuador ultimately withdrew from the tournament.
Interestingly, a second tournament was held later that year in Ecuador (December 5–25) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Eloy Alfaro. This second event, titled the "Copa del Centenario de la Batalla de Quito," was won by Uruguay.
Competition Analysis and Final Standings
The tournament followed a round-robin format where teams played each other to determine the final ranking. Argentina dominated the field, remaining undefeated with five wins and one draw. Their campaign was highlighted by a powerful offense that scored 19 goals.
Brazil followed closely as runners-up, also remaining undefeated but finishing second on points. The competition was characterized by high-scoring affairs, including Argentina's 6–1 opening victory over Chile and Uruguay's 7–0 rout of Bolivia.
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 5 | +14 | 11 |
| Brazil | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 7 | +10 | 10 |
| Paraguay | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Peru | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 5 |
| Chile | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 5 |
| Uruguay | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 4 |
| Bolivia | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 23 | -19 | 1 |
Individual Brilliance and Top Performers
While Argentina took the trophy, the individual spotlight belonged to Brazil's Pelé. He was named the best player of the tournament and finished as the top scorer with 8 goals. His impact was most evident in Brazil's 4–1 victory over Paraguay, where he scored a hat-trick.
Other notable performers included Paraguay's José Aveiro, who scored 6 goals, and Argentina's Rubén Héctor Sosa, who contributed 4 goals to the champions' cause. A total of 36 different players found the net during the 21 matches played.
Team of the Tournament
- Goalkeeper: Rafael Asca
- Defenders: Mirto Davoine, Víctor Benítez, Vladislao Cap
- Midfielders: Eliseo Mouriño, Alcides Silveira
- Forwards: Garrincha, Didi, Vladas Douksas, Pelé, Raúl Belén
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1959 South American Championship?
Argentina won the tournament, securing their 12th title.
How many goals did Pelé score in the tournament?
Pelé scored 8 goals, making him the top scorer and the best player of the tournament.
Why was there controversy regarding the host country?
Ecuador withdrew as host due to financial and infrastructure issues. Argentina stepped in, but some nations (Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile) disputed the lack of a formal bidding process and organized a separate competition called the "Copa del Atlántico."
Where were the matches played?
All matches took place at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Was there another tournament in 1959?
Yes, a second tournament was held in Ecuador from December 5 to 25, 1959, to honor the 100th anniversary of Eloy Alfaro's birth. Uruguay won that competition.