1961 Copa Libertadores Finals

The 1961 Copa de Campeones de América Finals was a football series between Peñarol and Palmeiras on June 4 and June 11 of this same year. It was the second final of South America's most prestigious football competition, the Copa de Campeones (known in the modern era as the Copa Libertadores). Defending champions Peñarol were appearing in their second consecutive final, whereas Palmeiras were seeking to win the competition for the first time. Both finalists reached the final with relative ease as each of them won three of their four matches.

1961 Copa de Campeones Finals
Event1961 Copa de Campeones de América
Peñarol won 31 on points.
First leg
DateJune 4, 1961
VenueEstadio Centenario, Montevideo
RefereeJosé Luis Praddaude (Argentina)
Attendance64,376
Second leg
DateJune 11, 1961
VenueEstádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo
RefereeJosé Luis Praddaude (Argentina)
Attendance50,000

Each club needed to win two group series to reach the final. Peñarol's victories were incredibly one-sided affairs, each effectively settled by the first leg, as they thumped Universitario of Peru 5-0 in the first leg of their quarterfinal group. Peñarol even dispatched Olimpia in the semifinals with little difficulty as they won both matches of the series in a rematch of the previous year's finals. Palmeiras made similar comfortable progress: they scored nine goals while conceding only three after beating Independiente away and crushing Independiente Santa Fe 4-1 at home.

Like the previous edition, Alberto Spencer scored a late goal in the first leg of the final to give his team a slight lead. Going into São Paulo, José Sasía scored in the first two minutes of the match in order to give Peñarol their second consecutive title in the competition. Sacia's goal also became the fastest goal to be scored on a final match. Curiously, José Luis Praddaude became the first, and so far only, referee to officiate both matches of the final series in this competition. He also refereed the second leg of the 1960 final.[1]

Qualified teams

Team Previous finals appearances (bold indicates winners)
Peñarol 1960
Palmeiras None

Stadiums

Estadio Centenario in Montevideo and Estádio do Pacaembu in Sao Paulo were the venues for the finals.

Rules

The final will be played over two legs; home and away. The team that accumulates the most points —two for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss— after the two legs will be crowned the champion. Should the two teams be tied on points after the second leg, the team with the best goal difference will win. If the two teams have equal goal difference, a playoff match at a neutral venue will be contested.

Match details

First leg

First leg
Peñarol 1–0 Palmeiras
Spencer  89'
Attendance: 64,376
Referee: José Luis Praddaude (Argentina)
Peñarol
Palmeiras
GK Luis Maidana
DF William Martínez
DF Núber Cano
DF Edgardo González
DF Roberto Matosas
MF Walter Aguerre
MF Luis Cubilla
FW Ernesto Ledesma
FW Alberto Spencer
FW José Sasía
FW Juan Joya
Manager:
Roberto Scarone
GK Valdir
DF Valdemar
DF Aldemar Santos
DF Djalma Santos
MF Zequinha
MF Geraldo da Silva
FW Julinho
FW Humberto Barbosa
FW Geraldo Scotto
FW Chinesinho
FW José Romeiro
Substitutes:
FW Nilton Santos
Manager:
Armando Renganeschi

Second leg

Second leg
Palmeiras 1–1 Peñarol
Nardo  77' Sacia  2'
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: José Luis Praddaude (Argentina)
Palmeiras
Peñarol
GK Valdir
DF Valdemar
DF Aldemar Santos
DF Djalma Santos
MF Zequinha
MF Geraldo da Silva
FW Julinho
FW José Romeiro
FW Geraldo Scotto
FW Chinesinho
FW Gildo
Substitutes:
DF Nardo
Manager:
Armando Renganeschi
GK Luis Maidana
DF William Martínez
DF Núber Cano
DF Edgardo González
DF Roberto Matosas
MF Walter Aguerre
MF Luis Cubilla
FW Ernesto Ledesma
FW Alberto Spencer
FW José Sasía
FW Juan Joya
Manager:
Roberto Scarone

References

  1. Copa Libertadores de América 1961 by José Luis Pierrend, John Beuker, Pablo Ciullini and Osvaldo Gorgazzi on RSSSF
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