For the fifth edition of the South American football Championship (known as Copa América since 1975), Argentina designated as organizer of the competition, five years after organizing the first edition in 1916. New federation affiliated with CONMEBOL in 1921, Paraguay participates for the first time in the South American football Championship, with Uruguay (titleholder) and Brazil. [pays: 49]The Chile originally invited cannot join other selections for the tournament because of internal problems. All matches of the South American football Championship 1921 take place in the capital of the country Buenos Aires, in the stadium of Club Sportivo Barracas.
In the rules of football in 1921, 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.
On October 2, 1921, the South American football Championship begins.
In the stadium of the Club Sportivo Barracas in Buenos Aires, 20,000 spectators are present to witness the introduction of their favorite team, Argentina, against the Brazilian neighbor. The Uruguayan referee Ricardo Vallarino whistle the kickoff of the encounter, and the striker of Newell's Old Boys Julio Libonatti, from the top of its twenty years, gives the advantage to the Albiceleste at the 27th minute. The Brazil pushes back to the score, but the men of Ferreira Vianna Netto dont't find the solution, and the referee whistles the end of the match. Score final 1-0 to Argentina, precious victory and ideal start facing his audience.
A week later, the Uruguayan champion faces the newcomer competition, the Paraguay of the Argentine coach José Durand Laguna. And the beginnings are thunderous, Gerardo Rivas finding fault at the 9th minute for the Paraguayans. La Celeste is surprise and returned to the locker room in the 1-0 score. Second period, Ildefonso López wrong a second time the goalkeeper Pedro Casella at the 66th minute, and the Paraguay dominates the triple winner of the competition 2-0. "El Maestro" of the Club Atlético Peñarol José Antonio Piendibene reduces the score at the 83rd for the Uruguay, but it is too late, and as soon as he first game in South American football Championship, the Paraguay aligns a first victory and has two points more than the defending champion.
On 12 October, Paraguayan surprise from the first game against the Brazilian selection. And the striker of Fluminense Machado leaves no hope to the Albirroja, opening the score at the 21st minute, before signing a double at the 44th. Early in the second period, the forward of Flamengo Candiota definitely stuns Paraguay (46th), and Brazil, with this controlled victory, recovery in the race for the title.
Four days later, it is now the Argentina and his supporters who face the Paraguay. And as the Brazil, the players of José Durand Laguna can do nothing against the argentine determination, Julio Libonatti scores his second goal in the competition (43rd), Blas Saruppo doubles the placing at the 71st, follows five minutes later by Raúl Echeverría. Score final 3-0, the Argentina has two wins in two games, four points and first place in the group, the first South American Championship of football in its history is more far.
On 23 October, the Uruguay faces the Brazil and must win to even expect anything in this tournament. And in these moments, the big players appear, as Ángel Romano, striker star of the Nacional, that from the first minute of the match opens the score, before it seven minutes later. Ten minutes of play and already 2-0 for the Uruguay, the Brazil is pleased to finish the first half on this score. The men of Ferreira Vianna Netto return determined on the green rectangle, and Zeze I reduces the score at the 53rd. The Uruguayans unleash nothing, the Seleção tries to equalize, and the Paraguayan referee whistles the end of regulation time. Score final 2-1 to Uruguay, which must now defeat the Argentina in the last match of the tournament to retain his title.
A week later, it is somehow a "final" of the tournament coming into the stadium of Club Sportivo Barracas in Buenos Aires, 35,000 spectators flocking to the confrontation between the Argentina and the Uruguay. The Brazilian referee Pedro Santos whistle the start of hostilities, and the 22 players, after several attempts, returned to the locker room with the score of 0-0. Second period, the scorer of the Newell's Old Boys Julio Libonatti wrong the goalkeeper Tesoriere at the 57th, grandstands tremble with joy and encourage the Albiceleste like one man in his quest for victory. Time passes, and at the final whistle, Argentina with three wins in three games, wins its first South American football Championship.
With three goals scored during the competition, the young striker and already gifted Julio Libonatti is the top scorer of the South American football Championship 1921. Proof of its regularity, he scored a goal in all matches played by the Argentina.
