1979 Copa América
The Copa America 1979, the 31st edition of the South American continental championship in football and was held from July 10 to December 12.
The competition format was identical to 1975. There was no tournament in league system in a country, but it was played in a combination of group stage and knockout system with return game. The preliminary round consisted of three groups of three participants. The three group winners reached the semi-finals, while defending champion Peru was automatically qualified for the semifinals. In case of equal goal difference decided this was equal to the lot. In the final, a playoff was held on neutral ground in a tie after return game, which was necessary this time. Since this game 0-0 N.V. ended, Paraguay was the better goal difference from the previous two games South American champions. For Paraguay it was the second title at the Copa America after 1953. However, the decision game in Buenos Aires took place in front of just 6,000 spectators. However, a total audience of over one million was achieved, but without breaking the record in 1945 for the fifth time in the competition's history.
World champion Argentina was surprisingly only third in his group.
Group stage
Group A
Table
Group B
Table
Group C
Table
Semifinal
Final
Decision-making
* Paraguay on goal difference from the final two games before winning.