For the third edition of the South American football Championship (known as Copa América since 1975), Brazil is designated to organize the competition. The other South American selections in CONMEBOL, Uruguay (titleholder), Argentina and Chile, participate in the tournament. All matches of the South American football Championship 1917 unfold in the estádio das Laranjeiras in Río de Janeiro, built in 1905 and officially opened by the first match of the tournament.
In the rules of football in 1919, no replacement players is expected during a match, and the referee does not yet of yellow and red cards.
The four participating selections of the competition vie for victory in a single group, each in turn, meeting team finishing first group won the competition. A won match scores 2 points, a match draw 1 point, and a loss 0 point.
In case of equality of points between the top teams in the group, a final is scheduled for the winner of the competition.
May 11, 1919, the South American football Championship begins.
In the brand new estádio das Laranjeiras in Rio de Janeiro, 20,000 spectators are present to witness the introduction of their favorite team, Brazil, opposite the Chile. The Argentine referee Juan Pedro Barbera whistle the kickoff of the encounter, and the Chile starts then without knowing a meeting that will prove as a long agony facing the Brazilian onslaught, and more particularly by the duo of fearsome form the scorer of the Club Athletico Paulistano Arthur Friedenreich and the future legend of the Corinthians Neco. 19th minute, Arthur Friedenreich opens the score, Neco does not wait a minute before you double the bet. Arthur Friedenreich marks his second goal of the match at the 38th, and the 22 players of the game returning to the locker room with a score of 3-0. The public asks for more, Arthur Friedenreich runs to the cheers of the crowd his first triple of the competition (76th), Haroldo just mingle with the feast three minutes later, and Neco stuns once defence Chilean seven minutes from the end of the match. Score final 6-0, the Brazil is at home, and he intends to win for the first time in its history the South American football Championship.
Two days later, it is the double defending Uruguayan champion who faces Argentina. And for the first time in the South American football Championship, it's a European referee (english), Mr. Robert L. Todd, who officiate in the encounter. And if the Brazil have in his team a prolific attack line, la Celeste has nothing to envy him with particular brothers Scarone of Nacional and the striker of Peñarol Isabelino Gradin, already top scorer in the South American Championship 1916. And at the 19th minute, elder Carlos Scarone, which opens the score for the Uruguay, until his brother Héctor does follow his example four minutes later. Carlos Izaguirre restores hope to the Argentina at the 34th, and both teams returned to the locker room with a score of 2-1. 79th minute, Manuel Varela scored against his camp and the Albiceleste holds the reigning in failure, when Isabelino Gradin releases his teammates five minutes from the end of the match. Score final 3-2 for the Uruguay, victory difficult, but la Celeste never loose nothing.
On 17 may, the Uruguay faces the Chile, and Carlos Scarone mark his second goal of the competition at the 31st minute, before his comrade of attack Pérez double the last two minutes before the end of the first period. Nothing is happening then in this match, final score 2-0 for the Uruguay, and the men of Severino Castillo, with two wins in two games, are four points in the group and put pressure on the Brazil.
And it is the day after that the Seleção find the taste of the competition against Argentina, encouraged by 22,000 spectators hot as embers. Heitor Domingues mistaken the Argentine goalkeeper of River Plate Carlos Isola at the 20th minute, and the Brazil finished the first period on this 1-0 advantage. At the 57th, the striker star of Corinthians Amilcar find the path of the nets, the stadium goes wild, but Carlos Izaguirre reduced the score at the 65th minute for the Albiceleste, tension became palpable before that Millon gives heart and happiness to the supporters Brazilians (77th). Score final 3-1 to Brazil, which is now awaiting with impatience the decisive match against Uruguay for the final victory.
But you know who will win this South American football Championship, May 22 offers the "losers" match of the tournament, the Argentina against the Chile. And la Roja will still have to wait to win his first match in this competition, because Argentinian striker of the porteño Edwin Clarcke decided that this game was for him, and sign a double in thirteen minutes (10th and 23rd). In the meantime, Carlos Izaguirre mark his third goal of the competition at the 13th minute, and Argentines already lead 3-0 after 30 minutes of play. Saved Chile the honor thanks to Alfredo France (33rd), but Edwin Clarcke completes the task at the 62nd, and the Argentina won the match with a score of 4-1.
On 26 May, 23,000 spectators flock to the estadio das Laranjeiras for the decisive match between the Brazil and the Uruguay. The referee Robert L. Todd gives the kickoff, and Brazilian fans remain silent when Isabelino Gradin then Carlos Scarone hit early in the match (13th and 17th). Clap of thunder in the stadium! The Seleção pushes back to the score, and the striker of Corinthians Neco wrong goalkeeper Saporiti at the 29th minute. 2-1, the referee whistles the halftime. Players always come back on the green rectangle, and Neco, it equates at the 63rd. The stadium includes hope, gives voice, but both teams leave on this score draw of 2-2.
Final ranking, the Uruguay and the Brazil are tied by points, with two wins and one draw. Tournament need a winner, and a final is programmed to designate him.
On 29 may, 35,000 supporters invade the estadio das Laranjeiras to know the winner of the third edition of the South American football Championship. 22 players come on the lawn, and the Argentine referee whistle the kickoff of the match. Game tight, both teams try but fail, and 90 minutes to finish on this score draw of 0-0. No replacement players is possible, the two eleven licensees must continue match whatever the cost, and the session of the penalties do not yet exist in football in 1919, the game continues by an extratime of two 15-minute halves. But the first extratime gives the same result time regulatory, and after 120 minutes of play, the score is still 0-0. There must be a winner in this game, and a further extratime of twice 15 minutes starts. 122nd minute, Arthur Friedenreich opens the score! What journey! The game ends with the score of 1-0 after 150 minutes of game, and after this interminable suspense, the Brazil won for the first time in its history the South American football Championship.
With 4 goals scored during the competition, the two Brazilian strikers Arthur Friedenreich and Neco are top scorers of the South American football Championship 1919.
