Uruguay secured third place in the 2024 Copa America by defeating Canada on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Rodrigo Bentancur opened the scoring for Uruguay in the 8th minute with a powerful shot following a corner. Ismael Kone equalized for Canada with an acrobatic scissor kick in the 22nd minute. Shortly after Canada’s equalizer, Uruguay’s Facundo Pellistri had a goal disallowed for offside. Jonathan David gave Canada the lead in the 80th minute, capitalizing on a rebound. However, Luis Suarez scored a last-minute equalizer for Uruguay in the 92nd minute, forcing a penalty shootout.
Uruguay won the shootout 4-3, with key misses by Canada, including Ismael Kone’s spot-kick being saved and Alphonso Davies hitting the crossbar. Suarez and Bentancur both converted their kicks for Uruguay.
Post-match reactions included Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet emphasizing the team’s mental resilience, saying, “It was a hard blow, the previous match, but we knew we had to be mentally prepared.” Canada’s Alphonso Davies commented on the penalty shootout, stating, “Everyone who stepped up to take a penalty kicked it with confidence.”
Despite the loss, Canada’s strong performance in the tournament and their coach Jesse Marsch’s optimism bode well for their future, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. The match was a thrilling conclusion to the tournament for both teams, showcasing their determination and skill.
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