For the fourth edition of the South American football Championship (known as Copa América since 1975), this is Chile that organizes for the first time in its history the competition. The other South American selections in CONMEBOL, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil (titleholder), participate in the tournament. All matches of the South American football Championship 1917 take place in Viña del Mar, in estadio Valparaiso Sporting Club.
In the rules of football in 1920, 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.
September 11, 1920, the South American football Championship begins.
In the Valparaiso Sporting Club of Viña del Mar estadio, 15,000 spectators are present to witness the introduction of their favorite team, Chile, facing the defending Brazilian champion. The Uruguayan referee Martín Aphesteguy whistle the kickoff of the encounter, and Chileans, dressed in their new red jersey, begin the competition with the aim to finally win a first victory in this South American football Championship. Despite the encouragement of the stadium, both teams left at halftime with a score of 0-0. At the 53rd minute, Ismael Alvariza opens the score for the Seleção and calm at the same time the ardour of the Chilean fans. Score final 1-0 to Brazil, which ideally begins its tournament, the Chile left the ground bass head with zero point.
The next day, these are the beginnings of the Uruguayan armada against the Argentina squad. And la Celeste begins the dominatrix game, "el Maestro" of the Club Atlético Peñarol José Piendibene opens the score at the 10th minute. The Uruguay believed to hold his victory, and even more when the Uruguayan goalkeeper Juan Legnazzi saves a penalty shot by Calomino at the 61st. It seems to smile at men of Ernesto Figoli but Raúl Echeverría pulls the match draw at the 75th minute. Final score 1-1, Argentines have shown the character on this match there.
On September 18, it is the Uruguay against Brazil, revenge of the last South American football Championship. 23rd minute, the scorer of Nacional Ángel Romano opens the score for the Uruguay, and the Uruguayan fireworks can then begin. Three minutes later, Antonio Urdinarán converts a penalty kick, and then José Pérez scores a third goal at the 29th minute. 3-0 at half-time for the Uruguayan selection, but the teammates of José Piendibene want to mark the spirits, and three minutes after returning from the locker room, the striker Antonio Cámpolo is in his small goal, before Ángel Romano and José Pérez signs a double in this match. Score final 6-0, the Brazil is atomized by the class of the Uruguayan players.
Two days later, 16,000 spectators are hoping that the Chile will finally win a match in this competition, and why not now against the Argentina. But the match started badly for the premises, because Miguel Dellavalle wrong Chilean goalkeeper at the 13th minute. The atmosphere in the stands is morose, and Hernando Bolados restores hope to the fans by equalizing at the 30th minute. All possible rest for men of the Uruguayan coach Juan Carlos Bertone, but the score no longer moves until the end of the match, and both teams leave on this match 1-1 draw.
On 25 September, the Argentina faces Brazil with the tiny hope, if victory there is always to argue this South American Championship to the Uruguayan team. And this hope materialises five minutes before the end of the first period thanks to Raúl Echeverría, who then signs his second goal in the competition. The striker of the Newell's Old Boys Julio Libonatti completes the task at the 73rd, and with this victory 2-0 against the Brazilian selection, the Argentina has four points and hope a victory of the Chile on the Uruguay to win its first South American football Championship.
On 3 October, the Chilean host country welcomes the Uruguayan ogre before 16,000 spectators raised in estadio Valparaiso Sporting Club. 37th minute, Ángel Romano scores his third goal of the competition. 1-0 for the Uruguay. 60th, Aurelio Domínguez equalizes for the Chilean selection to the cheers of the crowd. 1-1. but this score is alive five minutes, José Pérez frees his teammates at the 65th minute, and thanks to this victory, the Uruguay wins his third South American Championship of football in four participations, and appears in the eyes of the world as the flagship of the South America nation.
With 3 goals scored during the competition, the Uruguayan strikers José Pérez and Ángel Romano are the top scorers of the South American football Championship 1920.
