Uruguay stays undefeated at home again in 1995

The Uruguayan team was crowned champions as hosts of the 1995 CONMEBOL Copa América™.

Argentinian Gabriel Batistuta and Mexican Luis García were the tournament’s top scorers with four goals each.

 

Uruguay reaffirmed its reputation as unbeatable at the historic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo and once again became champions at home, this time overcoming Brazil in the Final in a highly emotionally charged encounter in a packed stadium, which would be decided in penalties.

 

This was the last time Uruguay hosted the oldest national team tournament in the world, maintaining the exceptional record of having won all editions played on Uruguayan soil, a total of seven.

 

Contested again by 12 teams, the format was the same as in 1993, with the incorporation of three points for a win instead of two as before, and each team was allowed three substitutions.

 

Alongside the ten CONMEBOL teams, two teams from CONCACAF once again participated in the CONMEBOL Copa América™, and just as Mexico was a surprise in 1993, the United States caused a stir in 1995 by reaching the Semifinals and securing a 3-0 victory over Argentina in the Group Stage.

 

Four matches in the 1995 CONMEBOL Copa América™ were decided by penalty shootouts, the highest number in the tournament’s history. Three in the Quarterfinals, in addition to the Final between Brazil and Uruguay.

 

The Final between Celeste and Canarinha was a revenge of sorts from the 1989 tournament, but now with Uruguayans playing at home. Tulio put the visitors ahead, but Pablo Bengoechea once again scored in a Final, as in 1987, to equalize the match and send it to penalties.

 

For the first time, the title match was decided from the penalty spot, where Uruguay defeated Brazil 5-3 after a 1-1 draw.

 

Uruguay became the first country to defeat Brazil in two head-to-head Finals of  CONMEBOL Copa América™ (1983 and 1995), a feat that Argentina matched in 2021 (1936/37 and 2021).

 

It was the last CONMEBOL Copa América™ for Enzo Francescoli, who bid farewell to the tournament with the impressive record of four participations and three titles.

 

– Uruguay’s path to the title –

 

Group Stage:

 

– Uruguay 4-1 Venezuela –

 

URU: Daniel Fonseca (14’), Marcelo Otero (25’), Enzo Francescoli (75’), Gustavo Poyet (84’).

 

VEN: José Luis Dolgetta (53’)

 

– Uruguay 1-0 Paraguay –

 

URU: Enzo Francescoli (13’)

 

– Uruguay 1-1 Mexico –

 

URU: Marcelo Saralegui (79’)

 

MEX: Luis García (67’)

 

Final Stage:

 

– Uruguay 2-1 Bolivia – Quarterfinals

 

URU: Marcelo Otero (1’), Daniel Fonseca (30’)

 

BOL: Óscar Sánchez (71’)

 

– Uruguay 2-0 Colombia – Semifinals

 

URU: Edgardo Adinolfi (51’), Marcelo Otero (70’)

 

– Uruguay (5) 1-1 (3) Brazil – Final

 

URU: Pablo Bengoechea (51’)

 

BRA: Tulio (30’)

 

CONMEBOL.com / OPTA