Uruguay defeated Canada on penalties in the Copa America third-place playoff match after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Luis Suarez helped Uruguay stay alive in the match with an injury-time equaliser before Uruguay defeated Canada 4-3 on penalties at the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte.
It was looking over for Uruguay as the Canadians took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute through a Jonathan David goal. All Jesse Marsch’s Canada had to do was defend their lead till the final whistle was blown. Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Suarez, who came on as a substitute in the second half rescued Uruguay by scoring in the second minute of injury time to make it 2-2 and send the game into penalties.
Earlier, Rodrigo Bentacur scored an 8th-minute goal for Uruguay. Canada equalised the lead in the first half with Ismael Kone scoring in the 22nd minute.
Hard-fought penalty shootout
In the shootout, Ismael Kone’s spot kick was saved by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet. Earlier, Alphonso Davies attempted a shot that hit the crossbar, and bounced out, giving Uruguay the third spot in the Copa America 2024.
CAN 1-0 URU: Jonathan David scores to take Canada ahead.
CAN 1-1 URU: St. Clair dived the right way, but Valverde hit it perfectly for a score.|
CAN 2-1 URU: Bombito scores shortly after St. Clair is shown a yellow card mid-shootout.
CAN 2-2 URU: Bentancur finds the top left corner to take the game ahead.
CAN 2-2 URU: Israel Kone misses! Rochet saves the Canadian’s attempt.
CAN 2-3 URU: Arrascaeta helps Uruguay attain the lead for the first time in the shootout.
CAN 3-3 URU: Choiniere thumps it and scores.
CAN 3-4 URU: Suarez, the game changer, scores
CAN 3-4 URU: Davies misses! He tried to chip it but only found the crossbar.
Before the match, both sides expressed safety concerns after Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and a handful of his teammates went into the stands amid a physical brawl between fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, after semifinal loss over Colombia. Uruguay captain José Giménez said “players went in the crowd to protect their families." Coach Marcelo Bielsa also criticised tournament organisers for not doing enough to safeguard families of players seated in the stands behind the Uruguay bench.
After a spirited display in Copa America, Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup along with the United States and Mexico.
“We want to inspire the nation; we want to develop the sport in the country. We want people to remember this as a moment in time that changed the trajectory of what this sport is in Canada," Canada coach Marsch said after the loss.
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