The 1962 Copa de Campeones de América was the third edition of South America's premier club football tournament. Ten teams entered, one more than the previous season, with Venezuela again not sending a representative. This was the first edition in which the defending champions qualified automatically, allowing the nation which contained the holders to have an extra team in the tournament.
Santos ended the Carboneros''' reign, as they defeated Peñarol 0–3 in the deciding playoff in Buenos Aires.
Qualified teams CountryTeamQualification methodAppLastPrevious BestCONMEBOL1 berthPeñarol1961 Copa Libertadores de América winners3rd1961champion (2)1 berthRacing1961 Primera División championfirst1 berthDeportivo Municipal1961 Bolivian Primera División championfirst1 berthSantos1961 Taça Brasil championfirst1 berthUniversidad Católica1961 Primera División championfirst1 berthMillonarios1961 Campeonato Profesional champion2nd1960semifinals1 berthEmelec1961 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol championfirst1 berthCerro Porteño1961 Primera División championfirst1 berthSporting Cristal1961 Primera División championfirst1 berthNacional1961 Primera División runner-upfirst
Format and tie-breaking criteria This season saw the competition have an increase in participants by one team; as a result, the preliminary round from the previous season was eliminated. The first phase was now a group phase with three groups containing three clubs each. The format for the semifinals and the finals remained the same.
At each stage of the tournament, teams received 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and no points for a loss. If two or more teams were equal on points, the following criteria was applied to determine the ranking in the group stage:
a one-game playoff; superior goal difference; draw of lots.
Starting this edition, a playoff would become the first tie-breaker, then goal difference.
First round Nine teams were drawn into three groups. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top team in each group advanced to the semifinals. Peñarol, the title holders, had a bye to the next round.
Group 1 Team Santos4310206147 Cerro Porteño4112614-83 Deportivo Municipal4103814-62
Group 2 Team Nacional43109637 Racing411278-13 Sporting Cristal410357-22
Group 3 Team Universidad Católica421110915 Emelec4202121024 Millonarios4112710-33
Semifinals Four teams were drawn into two groups. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top team in each group advanced to the Finals.
Group A Team Santos211021+13 Universidad Católica201112−11
Group B Team Peñarol210143+12 Nacional210134−12Peñarol progressed to the finals due to better goal difference.''
Finals
Team Santos21014402 Peñarol21014402
Champion Copa Libertadores de América1962 ChampionSantosFirst Title
Top goalscorers PosPlayerTeamGoals 1 Coutinho Santos 6 Alberto Spencer Peñarol 6 Enrique Raymondi Emelec 6 2 Pelé Santos 4 Alberto Fouilloux Universidad Católica 4 Luis Aguilera Municipal 4
Footnotes
External links
1962 Copa Libertadores at RSSSF