The 1947 South American Championship: A Comprehensive Guide to the Tournament

Introduction

The 1947 South American Championship, also known as the Copa América 1947, was the 18th edition of the continental football tournament. Held in Ecuador from November 30th to December 31st, 1947, the tournament featured 8 national teams vying for the coveted trophy.

Participating Teams

| Team |
|---|---|
| Argentina |
| Bolivia |
| Brazil |
| Chile |
| Colombia |
| Ecuador |
| Paraguay |
| Uruguay |

Format and Regulations

The tournament was played in a single round-robin format, with each team facing every other team once. The team with the most points at the end of the tournament was crowned the champion.

Matches and Results

The tournament featured 28 matches, with a total of 84 goals scored.

Final Standings

Goal Scorers

Notable Moments

• The tournament was won by Argentina, their 7th Copa América title.
• José María Medina of Uruguay was the tournament's top scorer with 9 goals.
• Alfredo Di Stéfano made his international debut for Argentina at the age of 19.

Legacy

The 1947 South American Championship was a memorable event in the history of South American football. It showcased the talents of some of the greatest players of the era, including José María Medina, Félix Loustau, and Alfredo Di Stéfano. The tournament also helped to establish Argentina as one of the dominant forces in South American football.

Detailed Analysis

Argentina's Dominance

Argentina was the clear favorite coming into the tournament, and they lived up to expectations by winning their 7th Copa América title. Led by the likes of Félix Loustau and Alfredo Di Stéfano, Argentina won 6 of their 7 matches, scoring an impressive 26 goals in the process.

Uruguay's Challenge

Uruguay was Argentina's closest challenger throughout the tournament. The defending champions won 5 of their 7 matches, including a 5-2 victory over Paraguay and a 3-2 victory over Brazil. José María Medina was Uruguay's star player, scoring 9 goals in the tournament.

Paraguay's Surprise

Paraguay surprised many by finishing 3rd in the tournament. The Paraguayans played a disciplined and organized style of football, led by goalkeeper Marcelino Pérez. Paraguay lost only 2 of their 7 matches, both to Argentina.

Brazil's Disappointment

Brazil was one of the favorites to win the tournament, but they ultimately finished 4th with 9 points. Brazil struggled to find consistency, winning 4 of their 7 matches but also losing 2, including a 3-1 defeat to Argentina in the final match of the tournament.

Tables

Team Statistics

| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 3 | 14 |
| Uruguay | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 8 | 11 |
| Paraguay | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Brazil | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 9 |
| Chile | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 6 |
| Colombia | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 2 |
| Bolivia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 29 | 0 |

Top Scorers

Attendance Figures