• Copa América 1939
  • A New Champion is Born

    Led by goal poacher supreme and local hero, Teodoro “Lolo” Fernández, and playing at home, Peru became the fourth country to win the Copa America. For the first time after 14 editions, Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay didn’t clinch the title. It must be said, though, that the Peruvians were hot favorites, since Argentineans and Brazilians didn’t take part in the competition. Nevertheless, on the field of play, they proved to be a first-class squad.
     
    Coached by English manager, Jack Greenwell, Peru won their three matches convincingly. They hammered Ecuador, who were making their debut in a Copa America, 5-2. Then, they beat Chile 3-1, and scored 3 times with no reply by Paraguay. Teodoro Fernández scored 7 goals in three matches, a record in the tournament at the time.

    In the decisive match, against Uruguay, who had also won their first three games, Teodoro Fernández didn’t find the net, however, Jorge Alcade rose to the challenge and bagged a brace in the 2-1 victory.
  • Match Schedule
  • Paraguay
  • 5
  • -
  • 1
  • Chile
  • 15/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Peru
  • 5
  • -
  • 2
  • Ecuador
  • 15/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Uruguay
  • 6
  • -
  • 0
  • Ecuador
  • 22/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Peru
  • 3
  • -
  • 1
  • Chile
  • 22/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Peru
  • 3
  • -
  • 0
  • Paraguay
  • 29/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Uruguay
  • 3
  • -
  • 2
  • Chile
  • 29/01/1939 - Santiago
  • Chile
  • 4
  • -
  • 1
  • Ecuador
  • 05/02/1939 - Santiago
  • Uruguay
  • 3
  • -
  • 1
  • Paraguay
  • 05/02/1939 - Santiago
  • Paraguay
  • 3
  • -
  • 1
  • Ecuador
  • 12/02/1939 - Santiago
  • Peru
  • 2
  • -
  • 1
  • Uruguay
  • 12/02/1939 - Santiago
  • Champion
  • Runner-up
  • How Argentina will rank in 2011 Copa América?
Will be the champion
Will be the runner-up again
Will be at the semi-finals
Will be eliminated at the first round
  • Argentina
  • Participations:  38
  • Matches:  173
  • Historical Ranking:  1º
  • The two greatest players did not win Copa América. Brazilian player Pelé participated only in the 1959 edition, when he was the best striker (having scored eight goals) and wound up as the runner-up. Argentine striker Maradona played in three Copa América championships, but did not win the title (1979, 1987, and 1989).