The 1919 Copa Ibarguren (officially the "Copa Dr. Carlos Ibarguren") was the seventh edition of an Argentine football competition that pitted the champion of the Primera División organized by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) against the champion of the regional league of Rosario (Liga Rosarina de Football). The tournament, named in honor of former Argentine Minister of Public Instruction Carlos Ibarguren, was contested as a single match to determine the national champion of Argentina for the given year.
Final match
- Date: 22 December 1919
- Venue: Estadio Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires (GEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Competing teams: Boca Juniors (Primera División champions) vs. Rosario Central (Liga Rosarina champions)
- Result: Boca Juniors 2 – 0 Rosario Central
Goal scorers
- The two goals for Boca Juniors were scored by Ángel Bossio and Manuel Seoane.
Attendance and officials
- The match was attended by an estimated 15,000 spectators.
- The referee was José D'Elía, a recognized official of the era.
Significance
The victory gave Boca Juniors its first Copa Ibarguren title, complementing their league championship and establishing the club as a dominant force in Argentine football during the early 20th century. The competition itself served as a de facto national championship before the establishment of a unified national league system.
Historical context
The Copa Ibarguren was inaugurated in 1913 and was contested annually (with occasional interruptions) until 1958. It typically featured the winners of the AFA's top division and the champions of the most prominent regional league, which were initially limited to the Rosario league but later expanded to include other regional associations. The cup is regarded as a precursor to later nationwide tournaments such as the Copa Argentina.
Legacy
While the Copa Ibarguren is no longer contested, its historical editions, including the 1919 match, are remembered for contributing to the early development of Argentine football and for highlighting the rivalry between Buenos Aires‑based clubs and those from the interior provinces.