1979 Copa América final

The 1979 Copa América final were the final series to determine the champion of the 1979 Copa América, the 31st edition of the continental competition.

1979 Copa América final

Event	1979 Copa América
Paraguay Chile
2–2 on points; a play-off on neutral ground was reuqired to determine the winner. After the play-off finished tied, Paraguay won 3–1 on aggregate goals.
First leg
Paraguay Chile 3 0
Date	28 November 1979
Venue	Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
Referee	Luis Gregorio da Rosa (Uruguay)
Attendance	36,700
Second leg
Chile Paraguay 1 0
Date	5 December 1979
Venue	Estadio Nacional, Santiago
Referee	Barreto (Uruguay)
Attendance	51,200
Play-off
Chile Paraguay 0 0
After extra time
Date	11 December 1979
Venue	José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Referee	Arnaldo Coelho (Brazil)
Attendance	30,000

The final was played as a two-legged tie, with the team earning more points being the champion. After Paraguay and Chile won one game each finished tied on points, a play-off at a neutral venue was required.

The first leg was held on November 28 at Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, where Paraguay won 3–0. The second leg was held at Estadio Nacional in Santiago on December 5, where Chile won 1–0.

As both teams were tied 2–2 on points, a play-off match was held on December 11 in Vélez Sarsfield's venue, José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.[1]

After the play-off match finished in a 0–0 tie after extra time had expired, Paraguay were declared champions on aggregate (3–1), therefore winning its second Copa América title.[2]

Paraguay won the competition in the same year that a club from the country, Olimpia, won its first Copa Libertadores. A number of Olimpia players formed the basis of the national team that won the Copa América title, including Alicio Solalinde, Hugo Talavera, Roberto Paredes, Evaristo Isasi and Carlos Kiese.[3]