1953 South American Championship final

The 1953 South American Championship final was the final match to determine the winner of the 1953 South American Championship. It was held on April 1, 1953, in Estadio Nacional of Lima, Peru.

1953 South American Championship final
Estadio Nacional de Lima, venue
Event1953 South American Championship
DateApril 1, 1953
VenueEstadio Nacional, Lima
RefereeCharles Dean (England)
Attendance35,000

Paraguay won the match against Brazil by a 3–2 score, 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 to Argentina (current South American champion by then) 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) as its 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 final).[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 crowned champion unbeaten, winning Brazil in the final and taking revenge on the 1949 final.[3]

Route to the final

Paraguay Round Brazil
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Chile 3–0 Match 1  Bolivia 8–1
 Ecuador 0–0 Match 2  Ecuador 2–0
 Peru 2–2 Match 3  Uruguay 1–0
 Uruguay 2–2 Match 4  Peru 0–1
 Bolivia 2–1 Match 5  Chile 3–2
 Brazil 2–1 Match 6  Paraguay 1–2
Final standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Brazil 6402156+98
 Paraguay 6321116+58
 Uruguay 6312156+97
 Chile 6312101007
 Peru 631246−27
 Bolivia 6114615−93
 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 3–2 Brazil
Atilio López 14'
Gavilán 17'
Fernández 41'
Report Baltazar 56', 65'
Attendance: 35,000
Paraguay
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. 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.
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