The 1961 Copa de Campeones de América was the second season of the competition, South America's prized football tournament. Nine teams entered, two more than the previous season, with Venezuela not sending a representative. In order to further enhance the competition, CONMEBOL maintained the criteria of having regional clashes in order to take advantage of the cross-border rivalries
Although Peñarol also won their national league, this became the first and, so far, only time the defending champions did not qualify automatically to the next edition. Nevertheless, the Manyas successfully defended their title by defeating Palmeiras in the final.
Qualified teams CountryTeamQualification methodAppLastPrevious Best1 berthIndependiente1960 Primera División championfirst1 berthJorge Wilstermann1960 Copa Simón Bolívar champion2nd1960preliminary round1 berthPalmeiras1960 Taça Brasil championfirst1 berthColo-Colo1960 Primera División championfirst1 berthSanta Fe1960 Campeonato Profesional championfirst1 berthBarcelona1960 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol championfirst1 berthOlimpia1960 Primera División champion2nd1960runner-up1 berthUniversitario1960 Primera División championfirst1 berthPeñarol1960 Primera División champion2nd1960champion
Format Each match-up was a two-team group stage. Because of the increase in participants, a preliminary group was implemented in the competition, with the rest following the previous season's format. Wins were awarded two points, 1 point for a draw, and no points for a loss. The team with the most points after a home and away game advanced to the next stage.
If the teams still remained tied on points, goal difference became a factor. A one-game playoff would be implemented in case the teams were still tied. A draw of lots was to become the last solution to breaking a tie. Controversially, Independiente Santa Fe and Jorge Wilstermann tied on points which would have required a playoff; CONMEBOL, however, scrapped the idea and decided that the last semifinal slot was to be given by a draw of lots which the Colombians won.
Tournament bracket
Preliminary round Team Santa Fe211052+3 3 Barcelona201125−3 1
First round Group 1 Team Olimpia210164+22 Colo-Colo210146−2 2
Olimpia drew 2–2 with Colo-Colo on point aggregate. Olimpia progressed to the semifinals due to better goal difference.
Group 2 Team Peñarol210152+3 2 Universitario210125−3 2
Peñarol drew 2–2 with Universitario on point aggregate. Peñarol progressed to the semifinals due to better goal difference.
Group 3 Team Palmeiras220030+3 4 Independiente200203−3 0
Group 4 Team Santa Fe2101330 2 Jorge Wilstermann2101330 2
Independiente Santa Fe drew 2–2 with Jorge Wilstermann on point aggregate and goal difference. No playoff was disputed to determine the winner. Independiente Santa Fe progressed to the semifinals after a draw of lots.
Semifinals Four teams were drawn into two groups of two teams each. In each group, teams played against each other home and away. The top team in each group advanced to the Finals.
Group A Team Palmeiras211063+33 Santa Fe201136−31
Group B Team Peñarol220052+34 Olimpia200225−30
Finals
Team Peñarol211021+13 Palmeiras201112−11
Champion Copa Libertadores de América1961 WinnerPeñarolSecond Title
Top goalscorers PosPlayerTeamGoals 1 Osvaldo Panzutto Santa Fe 4 2 Alberto Perazzo Santa Fe 3 Benicio Ferreira Olimpia 3 Juan Joya Peñarol 3 José Francisco Sasía Peñarol 3 Alberto Spencer Peñarol 3
References
External links
1961 Copa Libertadores at RSSSF