July 13, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (6) celebrates his goal with teammates against Canada during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Luis Suarez scored a late equalizer to keep Uruguay alive as his team won 4-3 on penalties to beat Canada on Saturday night in the Copa America third-place match in Charlotte.
The two teams drew 2-2 in regulation time before the penalty shootout. Uruguay’s Sergio Rochet made a crucial save on Ismael Kone’s snapped shot and Canada’s Alphonso Davies hit the crossbar with the final shot from a wide open net.
Rodrigo Bentancur also scored in regulation time for Uruguay. Jonathan David and Kone scored in regulation time for Canada, who were competing in their first Copa America appearance.
Suarez scored the most important goal of the night in the second minute of added time in the second half, taking his Uruguay national team record to 69 goals.
Suarez raced toward the net and received a pass from Jose Gimenez. He was wide open and easily sent a left-footed shot into the left corner of the net, beating Canadian goaltender Dayne St. Clair.
Suarez and Bentancur also converted penalties on the last day. The other Uruguayans to have converted were Federico Valverde and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Canada’s penalty kicks were converted by David, Moïse Bombito and Mathieu Choinière.
Rochet had dived to his right on the final kick and a stunned Davies could only watch as the ball bounced off the bar.
Canada took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute.
The Uruguayan defence left space for Kone, who fired a right-footed shot that was saved by Rochet. The rebound was picked up by David, who slid a right-footed shot just wide of Rochet’s left hand.
But Uruguay pressed late in the game and St. Clair made a huge save from Suarez’s left-footed shot from close range seconds before the equaliser.
Uruguay scored in the eighth minute from a corner that landed at the feet of Bentancur, who turned and fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
Canada tied the score in the 22nd minute on a corner kick. The ball found Cone, who fired a half-bicycle right-footed shot into the net.
A minute later, Uruguay took advantage of the break and Facundo Pellistri, who was in a position to score, received the ball and sent a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net. But Maximiliano Araujo was flagged offside, which ruled out the goal.
Argentina will face Colombia in the championship match on Sunday in Miami.
–Field level media
