1937 South American Championship Final

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. As the tournament was played in a single round-robin system, Argentina and Brazil finished tied on points at the end of the tournament. Therefore, a playoff match had to be played to crown a champion, according to the rules.[1]

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. A young Vicente de la Mata replaced Varallo, who had been injured. De la Mata had played in the loss to Uruguay, with a poor performance.

Argentina and Brazil tied 0–0 at the end of the regulation time, playing additional time (two halves of 20' each) to crown a champion. Independiente's forward, an earlier Vicente de la Mata (19 years), scored two goals within four minutes, allowing Argentina to achieve its fifth South American championship.[3] The match ended at almost 2 a.m. in Buenos Aires.

Some journalist consider this match the beginning of the Argentina–Brazil football rivalry.[1] 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 demoraliced. Still sweated, I stayed to watch the second half. The I got ill, probably with bitterness. I scored the two goals but I wanted to play more time. I didn't.

— Vicente de la Mata, during an interview with El Gráfico