Uruguay clinched the third place in the Copa América 2024 by defeating Canada in a thrilling penalty shootout 4-3. The match, held at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, ended 2-2 after regular time, punctuated by various incidents and strategic changes that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the last moment.
First Half
From the onset, both teams showcased relentless ambition. Uruguay took the early lead with Rodrigo Bentancur finding the back of the net in the 8th minute. Bentancur, upon receiving the ball in the box, turned swiftly and executed an unstoppable shot past Canadian goalkeeper St. Clair. This early goal ignited the Uruguayan spirits and promised a thrilling match.
Canada quickly responded. In the 21st minute, Ismaël Koné leveled the score with an acrobatic strike that left goalkeeper Sergio Rochet with no chance. Following the goal, Canada began to dominate possession, ending the first half with 59% ball control compared to Uruguay’s 41%, though without creating further clear opportunities.
Second Half
The second half started with strategic changes by both teams. Uruguay introduced Luis Suárez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta, while Canada brought on Alphonso Davies to bolster their offensive play. The impact of these decisions was quickly evident on the pitch.
Around the 59th minute, Rochet made a miraculous save, keeping Uruguay in the match by deflecting a powerful shot from Jonathan David. Shortly after, in the 65th minute, Canada made a series of changes, including introducing Jonathan David and Derek Cornelius, aiming for stronger defense and fresh attacking legs.
The game reached a climax in the 79th minute when Jonathan David pushed Canada ahead with a precise shot inside the Uruguayan box. With the score at 2-1 against them, Uruguay intensified their attacks. Despite several missed opportunities and a standout performance by St. Clair, Uruguay’s persistence paid off in added time.
Dramatic Finish and Equalizing Goal
In stoppage time, with the score at 2-1 in favor of Canada, Uruguay pushed relentlessly for an equalizer. In the 92nd minute, Luis Suárez, who had been a constant threat, finally broke through, sending the ball into the net and equalizing the score to a spectacular 2-2. Suárez received a pass inside the box and, with his experience and precision, secured the crucial goal, pushing the match to a penalty shootout.
Canada Penalties:
Uruguay Penalties:
The penalty shootout started successfully for both teams. Jonathan David and Federico Valverde opened the series with confident goals. Rodrigo Bentancur and Moïse Bombito also scored, maintaining the tie. However, the turning point came with the third penalty when Ismaël Koné missed, giving Uruguay a critical advantage.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta didn’t miss for Uruguay, and although Mathieu Choinière scored for Canada, Alphonso Davies’ final miss sealed the game’s fate. With a precise strike, Luis Suárez clinched the victory for Uruguay.
