In a dramatic turn of events, Uruguay snatched a late equalizer through Luis Suarez before prevailing in a penalty shootout to secure third place at the 2024 Copa América. Canada, who had dominated large portions of the match, will rue missed opportunities after squandering a late lead.
The match at Bank of America Stadium was a rollercoaster of emotions. Uruguay opened the scoring early through Rodrigo Betancur, but Canada responded with a superb equalizer from Ismael Kone. Jonathan David’s goal in the 80th minute appeared to have sealed victory for the Canadians, but Suarez had other ideas, netting a dramatic late equalizer to force the game into a penalty shootout.
Uruguay ultimately prevailed 4-3 on penalties, with Alphonso Davies’ missed spot-kick proving costly for Canada.
Canada’s heartbreak
Despite the defeat, Canada can hold their heads high after a strong tournament. They finished second in their group and showed glimpses of their potential. Coach Jesse Marsch will be encouraged by his team’s performance and will be looking forward to building on this momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, the manner of the defeat will undoubtedly be a bitter pill to swallow. Canada dominated for long periods and appeared to be heading for a deserved victory before Suarez’s late intervention.
Uruguay’s resilience in Copa America
For Uruguay, the win will provide a much-needed boost after their semi-final defeat. Suarez’s heroics once again underlined his importance to the team. The veteran striker has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to deliver crucial moments for his country.
