1953 South American Championship play-off

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1953 South American Championship play-off
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Estadio Nacional de Lima, venue
Event 1953 South American Championship
DateApril 1, 1953
Venue Estadio Nacional, Lima
Referee Charles Dean (England)
Attendance35,000

The 1953 South American Championship play-off was a match held to determine the winner of the 1953 South American Championship, as Paraguay and Brazil were tied for the first place after the regular competition. The match took place on April 1, 1953, at Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru.

Contents

Paraguay won the match 3–2, winning its first continental title. [1]

Overview

Some journalists stated that Paraguay's best moments in football were during those years. [2] In fact, the Paraguayan side achieved some notable results such as the 5–1 win over Argentina (then South American champion) in July 1945.

Other good performances by the Paraguayan team had been the 3rd place in 1946 –with goalkeeper Sinforiano García (considered one of the greatest in Paraguayan football) being the most notable player–, the 2nd place in 1947 and the win over Brazil on group stage in 1949 (although the host country would thrash Paraguay 7–0 in the play-off). [3]

After former player Manuel Fleitas Solich was appointed coach, Paraguay started a hard training routine with the purpose of being in the best shape for the 1953 South American tournament. Results were highly satisfactory so Paraguay were crowned champion unbeaten (except for a walkover), beating Brazil in the play-off and taking revenge after losing to them in the 1949 play-off. [3]

Background

ParaguayRoundBrazil
OpponentResult Group stage OpponentResult
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 3–0Match 1Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 8–1
Flag of Ecuador (1900-2009).svg  Ecuador 0–0Match 2Flag of Ecuador (1900-2009).svg  Ecuador 2–0
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 2–2Match 3Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 1–0
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 2–2Match 4Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 0–1
Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 2–1Match 5Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 3–2
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2–1Match 6Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 1–2
Final standings
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg  Brazil 6402156+98
Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg  Paraguay 6321116+58
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 6312156+97
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 6312101007
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 631246−27
Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 6114615−93
Flag of Ecuador (1900-2009).svg  Ecuador 6024113−122
Note

Brazil and Paraguay finished tied on points so a playoff match had to be played to decide the champion.

Match details

Paraguay  Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg3–2Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg  Brazil
Atilio López Soccerball shade.svg14'
Gavilán Soccerball shade.svg17'
Fernández Soccerball shade.svg41'
Report Baltazar Soccerball shade.svg56', 65'
Estadio Nacional, Lima
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Charles Dean (England)
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Paraguay
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Brazil

References

  1. South American Championship 1953 by Martín Tabeira on the RSSSF
  2. Paraguay campeón del Sudamericano de 1953 on Puro Deporte, 1 Apr 2015 (archived 2 Apr 2019)
  3. 1 2 La Semana Santa feliz de 1953 by José María Troche & Gabriel Cazenave on ABC, 2 Apr 2011
  4. Oliver, Guy (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness publishing. p. 561. ISBN   0-85112-954-4.