1937 South American Championship play-off

The 1937 South American Championship play-off was a match held to determine the winner of the 1937 South American Championship, the 14th edition of this continental championship, as Argentina and Brazil were tied for the first place after the regular competition. The match took place on February 1, 1937, at Estadio Gasómetro in Buenos Aires.

Argentina won the match 2–0, winning its fifth continental title.

Background

 * Notes:
 * Argentina and Brazil finished tied on points, so a play-off had to be played to decide the champion.

Overview
Brazil had attended the competition without two of their most notable players, defender Domingos da Guia (champion with Boca Juniors two years before) and striker Leonidas da Silva, nicknamed the Black Diamond. The tournament was played in a single round-robin system, but Argentina and Brazil finished tied on points, meaning a playoff match was required to determine a champion, according to the rules in force.

The match was held in San Lorenzo stadium, were both teams played hard, committing several number of fouls. After Brazilian player Domingos Spitalletti kicked Francisco Varallo violently in the 36th minute, a riot involving all the players (even some substitutes) started. After a hiatus of 40', the match restarted. Nevertheless, just two minutes a new riot happened after Cunha hit Cherro on his face.

For the second half Carlos Peucelle replaced Cherro and veteran Bernabé Ferreyra substituted Zozaya. 19-year-old Independiente forward Vicente de la Mata replaced Varallo, who had been injured; De la Mata had played in the loss to Uruguay, and had a poor performance.

As the score was tied 0–0 when 90 minutes expired, two 15-minute halves of extra time were required to determine the champion: during the extra time, de la Mata scored two goals within four minutes, allowing Argentina to win its fifth South American championship.

The match ended at almost 2 a.m. in Buenos Aires.

Aftermath
Some journalist consider this match the beginning of the Argentina–Brazil football rivalry. This tournament was also the closure of an era with the Argentine squad for some of the most notable players such as Enrique Guaita, Alberto Zozaya, Alejandro Scopelli, Bernabé Ferreyra, Carlos Peucelle and Francisco Varallo.

When I was substituted vs Uruguay, I became demoralised. Still sweated, I stayed to watch the second half. Then I got ill, probably with bitterness. I scored the two goals but I wanted to play more time. I didn't.