Champions Peñarol (2nd title) Champion Peñarol Top scorer Osvaldo Panzutto Goals scored 52 | Runners-up Palmeiras Dates 2 Apr 1961 – 11 Jun 1961 Teams 9 Matches played 16 | |
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Similar 1962 Copa Libertadores, 1960 Copa Libertadores, 1969 Copa Libertadores, 1965 Copa Libertadores, 1966 Copa Libertadores | ||
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
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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.
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, goal difference will become a factor. A one-game playoff would be implemented in case the teams are 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, scraped the idea and decided that the last semifinal slot was to be given by a draw of lots which the Colombians won.
Group 1
Olimpia drew 2–2 with Colo-Colo on point aggregate. Olimpia progressed to the semifinals due to better goal difference.
Group 2
Peñarol drew 2–2 with Universitario on point aggregate. Peñarol progressed to the semifinals due to better goal difference.
Group 4
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
Seven teams were drawn into two groups, one of our and the other of three. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top team in each group advanced to the Finals.