Canada thought it had Uruguay beat, but let a late lead slip away in the third-place match of the 2024 Copa América tournament at Bank of America Stadium. Uruguay would score a last-gasp equalizer through Luis Suárez, before claiming third place after winning a penalty-kick tiebreaker 4-3.
Canada’s coach, Jesse Marsch, will have much to praise in his side’s strong performance in the tournament. The team finished second in Group A and Marsch expressed optimism about Canada’s prospects in the 2026 World Cup. However, the nature of this third-place game defeat will sting, as the Canadians outplayed Uruguay for long stretches and held a lead deep into the second half.
The dramatic end capped off an exciting game that saw both teams hold the lead. Rodrigo Betancur put Uruguay in front after just eight minutes, only for Ismaël Koné to score a tremendous equalizer in the 22nd minute.
Substitute Jonathan David seemed to win the game for Canada with an 80th minute goal, only for Suárez to save Uruguay in the game’s closing moments.
More:Uruguay players and Colombia fans fight in stands after Copa America semifinal
Argentina vs. Colombia, Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
The result was a 2-2 draw, with Uruguay defeating Canada 4-3 on penalties.
Suárez converts Uruguay’s fourth kick, putting Canada up against it. Davies has a chance to keep his side alive, but his attempt at an extremely risky “Panenka” lob ends up kissing the crossbar and bouncing away.
Uruguay, after taking a moment to figure out the math, realizes they’ve won third place. That’s hard luck for Canada, who outplayed Uruguay for most of the match only to see it slip away in the final seconds.
Koné has had a wonderful tournament, but the young midfielder’s penalty is weak and telegraphed, allowing Rochet to dive right and palm it away to start the third round.
De Arrascaeta doesn’t make the same mistake, and Uruguay takes a 3-2 lead.
It’s not shown on screen, but for some reason Herrera the referee has paused the shootout to come over and book Canada goalkeeper St. Clair before Canada’s second shot.
After all that, Moise Bombito scores for Canada, while Betancur does the same for Uruguay
Jonathan David opens the shootout with a successful shot for Canada, while Uruguay’s Federico Valverde responds with a goal of his own.
If you’re wondering why this game is heading right to penalties rather than going through a 30-minute extra time, you’re not alone. With the heat and travel a factor, Copa América organizer CONMEBOL decided that all knockout-round games save for the final would go straight to penalties.
This game has been wild from start to finish, with Uruguay scoring a goal two minutes into second-half stoppage time to send this match to penalties.
Just when it seemed Canada was going to hang on, it all falls apart in stoppage time. Suárez has a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer for Uruguay.
Suárez saw his first look denied by an excellent save by St. Clair, but it took just a few seconds for Uruguay to get another look.
This time, it’s Giménez — a center back pushing up in desperation — expertly feeding Suárez, who is wide open for an easy finish to equalize.
Canada is hunting for a third rather than retreating into a shell. David, putting his fresh legs to use, stripped Betancur of the ball before racing away.
In a very unconventional foul, Betancur somehow falls backwards, grabbing David’s leg and landing on his feet to trip him. Strange or no, it’s a clear booking for stopping the attacking opportunity.
Canada’s knocking at the door finally works out, as David’s shot from nearly on the ground somehow gets over the line.
It all started with Koné, who wasn’t closed down by Uruguay in the 80th minute. The midfielder launched a rocket towards goal that Rochet managed to save, but David does just enough to poke the rebound home.
It might have been a surprise for Canada to win this game at kickoff, but they deserve to have this 2-1 lead.
It’s the 77th minute, and Jesse Marsch goes to his bench for the final time. The influential Osorio and Ahmed come off, with Theo Bair and Liam Millar entering the fray.
Moments later, Koné gets a yellow card after a late challenge on Olaza, giving Uruguay a decent set piece from out on the left.
Davies had been an injury doubt for this game, but the Bayern Munich star has immediately made a difference. From well outside the box, he took aim in the 70th minute, only for his shot to just barely be deflected wide.
Right now at least, Canada looks like the team with more energy, and they’re creating just about all of the recent chances.
Uruguay uses its last substitution to replace Viña, who has been given a tough night at the office by Ahmed. Lucas Olaza is on in his place.
Canada, meanwhile, has replaced Oluwaseyi with striker Jonathan David, while Derek Cornelius is on for De Fougerolles at center back.
Canada has stayed dangerous, and it’s Oluwaseyi once again in the mix. This time, it’s another smart pass from Ahmed, who feeds the striker’s smart run only for Rochet to make a huge save to keep things level.
Immediately afterwards, both teams turn to the bench. Uruguay makes another double sub, sending in Brian Rodríguez and Cristian Oliveira for Araújo and Pellistri.
For Canada, it’s Alphonso Davies replacing Alistair Johnston, with Laryea moving to right back in the exchange..
The game is halted in the 49th minute after José María Giménez ends up getting an elbow in the eyebrow.
That opened up a pretty substantial cut, and referee Alexis Herrera ended up being the one to inform Giménez that he was in fact bleeding, and would need to change jerseys.
Giménez, after getting a new shirt and a wrap on his head to contain the blood, is already back out there.
Play has resumed, with Uruguay making two subs: Luis Suárez is on for Núñez up top, while attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta has replaced defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
It’s been an eventful first half, with the scores level after Uruguay and Canada were both dominant for spells. The early stages favored Marcelo Bielsa’s side, but Canada found its footing and will walk off wondering how those late chances didn’t give them the lead.
Canada will probably be the happier team, as a more experienced Uruguay side kicked off as a solid favorite to claim third place at this Copa América. Instead, this game is truly up for grabs, with plenty of chances at either end.
Canada is doing everything but score at the moment. This time, Oluwaseyi and Osorio combine to unlock the Uruguay defense.
Osorio is all alone, but his first shot is stuffed by Rochet. The rebound floated up temptingly for the Canada midfielder, but his header over Rochet was hacked off the line by Nahitan Nández, who is in some discomfort after saving a sure goal.
Ali Ahmed is having an impressive game on the right wing for Canada, and this time his cross found Oluwaseyi wide open.
It’s a tricky chance as Oluwaseyi overran the ball by a step, and the Minnesota United striker could only direct the ball wide. That was a big opportunity.
Canada played a slick one-two in the 39th minute, with Osorio sending Jacob Shaffelburg in on goal. However, just as the Nashville SC wide man went for goal, Sebastián Cáceres arrived with a timely block.
Canada had two corners in the aftermath, but neither pans out.
Once Canada set up its wall and Núñez took aim, the 37th minute free kick ends up zipping two yards over the crossbar. Canada won’t want to risk another foul like that one, but this time at least they move on with the scores level.
Liverpool star Darwin Núñez has been quiet, but he just won a free kick in a superb position just outside the Canadian box.
Uruguay defender Matías Viña is given a yellow card for a bad tackle on De Fougerolles in the 26th minute. Viña’s studs went right into the Canada center back’s shin, but fortunately the latter wasn’t injured.
Facundo Pellistri is sure he’s put Uruguay back in front, but the Uruguay winger’s goal is called back after Araújo is caught just a step offside.
That’s as close a call as you’ll see, but it remains 1-1.
Ismaël Koné has the equalizer, and it’s a spectacular goal. Canada’s corner kick went to the back post, and the young midfielder — with his back to goal — hopped up before looping the ball over goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and in.
Canada has started to get after Uruguay, and have created two good looks in the 19th and 20th minutes. The first, after a spell of possession, ended with Richie Laryea firing wide.
The second was a bit more dangerous, with Tani Oluwaseyi having his goal-bound header blocked.
Canada’s Jonathan Osorio stayed down after being tangled up with Betancur along the sideline, and the aftermath turns into a bit of acrimony between the teams. It wouldn’t be the first…or the second time at this tournament that things boil over.
Right now, both teams seem to have calmed down after a moment, but it’s a situation to watch.
Canada dealt with the set piece from the De Fougerolles foul, but the resulting corner kick leads to an 8th-minute goal for Uruguay. Rodrigo Betancur was a bit lucky to have the ball fall to his feet, but the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder did very well to spin and fire past Dayne St. Clair.
18-year-old defender Luc de Fougerolles picks up a 7th-minute booking for a foul on Maximiliano Araújo.
We’re underway at Bank of America Stadium.
The 2024 Copa América third-place final between Canada and Uruguay will kick off at 9 p.m. ET.
How to watch:Catch the 2024 Copa America final with a fuboTV subscription
Uruguay is slightly favored in the third-place match of the 2024 Copa America, per BetMGM’s latest soccer odds.
The Copa America tournament is the oldest international soccer competition among national teams from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). It is contested by men’s national teams and began in 1916 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The defending champions, Argentina, will be led by captain Lionel Messi. Messi scored his 109th international goal in the 2-0 victory against Canada, propelling Argentina to their fourth final in the last five tournaments.
Professional club in parentheses.
Professional club in parentheses.
The Copa America third-place match between Canada vs. Uruguay will be played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
After defeating the Netherlands 2-1, England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, July 14.
FW Jonathan David: The Lille striker scored the team’s lone goal of the tournament so far and has drawn nine fouls, tied for third-most in the tournament. Though he didn’t score against Chile, he led the squad by completing 88% of his passes.
DF Alphonso Davies: The Bayern Munich defender and captain has been a key player throughout the tournament for the Copa America debutants. If the squad makes it to the semifinals, Davies will be a huge part of it.
MF Manuel Ugarte: The midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain is a dependable playmaker. Uguarte has the ability to create scoring opportunities and has been an integral part of La Celeste’s strong defense throughout the Copa America tournament. Ugarte has caught the attention of Manchester United over the summer.
GK Sergio Rochet: The 31-year-old goalkeeper has been a crucial part of La Celeste’s success in the tournament, playing in all five games of the Copa America. Rochet saved Brazil’s first penalty in the shootout, helping his team advance to the semi-finals and knock out the powerhouse team.
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