The 1966 Copa Libertadores de América was the seventh edition of the premier South American club football tournament, organized by CONMEBOL. Colombia and Brazil did not send their representatives. This edition became the first club competition of the world to include not just the champions but also the runners-up of each of its participating association. Despite the fact that Colombian and Brazilian clubs did not participate, this tournament saw a record 95 matches being played out to determine the year's champion.
Colombia did not send representatives due to the disagreements between CONMEBOL and the two Colombian football federations (ADEFUTBOL y DIMAYOR). at the time in conflict with each other. Brazilian clubs protested the inclusion of the runners-up of each nation and argued that the tournament should be reserved for national champions. In addition, they gave priority to their interstate tournaments and tours around the world instead, as they were seen more economically rewarding. Not having any economic incentives, CONMEBOL was forced to allow clubs the freedom of whether they participated or not.
After winning each of their home legs, Peñarol and River Plate required a playoff to break the deadlock. The match was played in the Estadio Nacional of Santiago, Chile, on 20 May 1966. River Plate finished the first half 2-0 and was in cruise control towards its first title. The manyas managed to revert the disadvantage to push this match into extra time. With two more goals, the final score of 2-4 meant that Peñarol became the first three-time winners of the competition. The debacle of River Plate in the second half led the club to being taunted by their rivals as gallinas (chickens), a nickname that was eventually adopted also by their own fans in a positive way.
Qualified teams CountryTeamQualification methodCONMEBOL(1 berth)Independiente1965 Copa Libertadores winners(2 berths)Boca Juniors1965 Primera División championRiver Plate1965 Primera División runner-up(2 berths)Deportivo Municipal1965 Copa Simón Bolívar championJorge Wilstermann1965 Copa Simón Bolívar runner-up(2 berths)Universidad de Chile1965 Primera División championUniversidad Católica1965 Primera División runner-up(2 berths)Emelec1965 Campeonato Ecuatoriano champion9 de Octubre1965 Campeonato Ecuatoriano runner-up(2 berths)Olimpia1965 Primera División championGuaraní1965 Primera División runner-up(2 berths)Alianza Lima1965 Primera División championUniversitario1965 Primera División runner-up(2 berths)Peñarol1965 Primera División championNacional1965 Primera División runner-up(2 berths)Lara1965 Primera División championDeportivo Italia1965 Primera División runner-up
Draw Sixteen teams were drawn into two groups of six and one group of four. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top two teams in each group advanced to the Second round. Independiente, the title holders, had a bye to the next round.
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Tie-breaking criteria At each stage of the tournament teams receive two points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. If two or more teams are equal on points, the following criteria will be applied to determine the ranking in the group stage:
a one-game playoff; superior goal difference; draw of lots.
First round Sixteen teams were drawn into two groups of six and one group of four. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top two teams in each group advanced to the Semifinals. Independiente, the title holders, had a bye to the next round.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Semifinals Seven teams were drawn into two groups, one of four 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.
Group A
Group B
Finals
Champion Copa Libertadores de América1966 ChampionPeñarolThird Title
Top goalscorers PosPlayerTeamGoals 1 Daniel Onega River Plate 17 2 Pedro Rocha Peñarol 10 3 Alfredo Hugo Rojas Boca Juniors 7 Julio César Morales Nacional 7 Orlando Virgili Nacional 7 Agostino Nitti Deportivo Italia 7 Salomón Moyano Deportivo Municipal 7 Gerardo González Olimpia 7 Hugo Lencina Emelec 7 Cirilo Fernández 9 de Octubre 7 Ausberto García Jorge Wilstermann 7
References
Footnotes
A. The match finished 1-1, but Universitario were declared 0-1 winners as Alianza fielded two ineligible players: Catalá and Cruz.
External links
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