The first Libertadores triumph

On August 30, 1962, Santos wrote one of the most important pages in its history. At the Monumental de Núñez Stadium in Buenos Aires, the Black and White side defeated Peñarol 3–0 and won the Copa Libertadores for the first time. It was also the first time a Brazilian club had claimed the title of the continent's main competition.

The campaign up to the final began with a group stage without major difficulties. Santos won both matches against Bolivia's Deportivo Municipal, drew one of the clashes with Cerro Porteño, and handed the Paraguayan club a historic 9–1 thrashing. Finishing top of the group, they advanced to the semifinal to face Universidad Católica of Chile.