Action continued in Copa America 2024 on July 14 with South American giants, Uruguay, trading tackles with Canada for a third-place finish.
Canada lost in the semi-finals to the defending champions, Argentina. Goals from Manchester City forward, Julian Alvarez and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi condemned the spirited Jesse Marsch-led side to a 2-0 semi-final loss.
On the other hand, Uruguay failed in their bid for a place in the final after a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia in the other semi-final. A first-half goal by Lemar in the 39th minute was enough to condemn the star-studded side to a loss.
Meanwhile, the game was marred with post-match violence, with some Uruguay players clashing with Colombia fans, whom they alleged to have attacked their families on the stands.
Away from the semi-final deadlock, the Marcelo Bielsah-led side went into the third place playoff against Canada as favorites. However, Canada defied the odds to stage a formidable challenge throughout.
They held sway over a long stretch of the game and bundled the star-studded opponents with clinical gameplay.
Covering good attacking and defensive distance, the Jesse Marsch-tutored boys outplayed Uruguay from all angles. They wielded 58% of the ball and recorded more attempts (15) than their opponents.
A greater part of the game was played in Uruguay’s half, which continually came under sustained pressure.
Meanwhile, against the run of play, Rodriguez Bentacur had fired Uruguay into the lead just eight minutes into proceedings, but it was a matter of time before a dominant Canadian side restored parity.
Ismael Kone scored a terrific equaliser for the team, eight minutes before the half-hour, and the goal was enough to tie proceedings at the break. It was a strong first-half showing by Canada against expectations but still a dicey affair.
While battling for possession, Uruguay retained their threat when breaking on counter-offensives but the Canadian defenders were equal to the task.
The second half took a similar trajectory as the first. Canada continued on their more dominant display going forward, but it was a near-barren run.
The scoreline still stood at 1-1, with 10 minutes left to play, before Jesse Marsch got the better of the Uruguayans with his super-sub, Jonathan David. After coming on, David scored in the 80th minute to hand Canada a deserved lead.
They were closing in on an unlikely victory, but Inter Miami sensation, Luis Suarez, saved the day for his side, scoring in the last stretch of the game to make it 2-2.
Suarez’s late goal forced the game into penalties, where Uruguay won 4-3, to clinch the bronze medal, after Ismael Kone missed Canada’s third spot-kick.
Despite the late dramatic turn of events in the game, Jesse Marsch’s Canada have been impressive in the tournament. The prolific showing against a star-studded team attests to the team’s progress.
With the Copa America 2024 done and dusted for Canada, the team will now be fixated on the next biggest tournament – the 2026 World Cup – to be held partly in the country.
