CÁTEDRA
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At the beginning of 1946, a new edition of the South American Championship had begun. Argentina, once again, was considered the main team, the favorite of the competition, especially due to its formidable forward line, composed of players who filled the stellar sky of Buenos Aires football. This time, Adolfo Pedernera was present, even though the players of River Plate, as was said at the time, had some disagreements with coach Guillermo Stábile. The top scorer of the first FIFA World Cup, in turn, had a preference for René Pontoni, thus causing some intrigue to the River Plate centre-forward.

Consequently, Pedernera did not start the first match against Paraguay, but Pontini. The match ended in a triumph for the Platenses, through goals scored by De la Mata and Rinaldo Martino.

In the following match, against the modest side of Bolivia, Pedernera was selected to play as a centre-forward, as he had consistently played for River Plate.

The meeting was a real massacre, ending in a 7:1 triumph for Argentina. Pedernera did not score, but was constantly providing; he led the offensive line, creating chances for his compatriots.

Loustau                  Pedernera                  Salvini
 Labruna               Méndez

One year after the draw in Santiago, Argentina and Chile met for the third match of the tournament. After the brilliant performance against Bolivia, a more solid and tough match was expected. However, the local technique and efficiency were fundamental to the triumph against the Chileans, especially reflected in the two goals scored by Labruna and the goal converted by Pedernera.

Right in the first minutes of the match, Juan Salvini was injured. Without any alternative on the right side — Boyé had withdrawn from the tournament — Pedernera was selected to play as outside right. Consequently, Pontoni came on the field and took over the center of the attack.

While playing there, Pedernera led several of his team's actions, in addition to having scored his team's last goal. Along with the left wing, the maestro was mentioned as one of the high values ​​of the match.


GERALDO ROMUALDO: Salvini's departure from the pitch, heavily injured, and the impossibility of replacing him with another right winger, forced the coach to resort to the good offices of a centre-forward. Pedernera was the man sacrificed, but, an intelligent player, he carried out the mission with sobriety.


In the fourth round — a true derby. Argentina met Uruguay at San Lorenzo for a clash that was not only a spectacle, but a real battle. A few minutes after the 30th minute, a foul was committed. Pedernera, who was a true specialist, took the free kick, thus converting the first goal for the local National Team.

As usual, the offensive actions were being led by Pedernera, dictating the rhythm and creating chances for his insiders. It is widely reported that the River Plate star assisted Argentina's other two goals, which were converted by Labruna and Méndez.

In the last match of the tournament, Argentina faced Brazil. Neither team had lost, but only Argentina had won all their matches. Consequently, only a victory was of interest to the Brazilian team.

The match was marked by real scandals, involving pitch invasions and even the police. Throughout the match, constant aggressions were reported.


CONCLUSION

Throughout the tournament, Argentina showed its sovereignty over its opponents, even when adverse moments stood in the way — against Brazil, for instance. The main exponent was, without a shadow of a doubt, Adolfo Pedernera.

Argentina's main footballer was in extraordinary form, achieving triumphs for his side through his mastery on the field. Pedernera was orchestrating for his insiders, especially looking for Labruna.


MANCILLA: Pedernera is the real director of his line, the one who creates all the actions of his teammates, from behind, for this he has two top-class insiders who move forward and infiltrate. His deep passes are magnificent.

» The time he played as a right winger, he also directed the line from that position.


As usual, he was organizing from behind, almost never advancing to finish. Through his vision and reading of the game, he made the offensive actions clear to his teammates. Pedernera, moreover, demonstrated his great versatility in the tournament, playing as outside right, since Salvini was injured.


BRABANTE: Adolfo Pedernera, the greatest expression of Argentine football at the moment and a star figure in the last Campeonato Sudamericano de Futbol.

» The best passes, the most brilliant plays, and even the goals, only came through the skillful maneuvers of this incomparable trio that obeyed no orders other than those dictated by that true soccer genius, Adolfo Pedernera, the most notable figure of the championship.


That was the last time Pedernera played in the Copa América.