13 de Julio de 2024 - 07:04 pm

Copa America: Canada and Uruguay, a battle for third place

While all eyes are on Copa America final to determine the ultimate winner to be crowned champion, Canada and Uruguay will be vying for third place.

La selección de Uruguays dio un golpe de autoridad en la Copa América de Estados Unidos al eliminar a la de Brasil en partido de la fase de cuartos de final jugado el sábado en Las Vegas (Nevada). EFE/EPA/Allison Dinner
EFE/EPA/Allison Dinner

As Copa America comes to a close, two remaining matches will define the teams that will occupy positions 1-4 in this the oldest International soccer tournament in the world.

While all eyes are on the final tomorrow between Argentina and Colombia to determine the ultimate winner to be crowned champion, two other teams will be vying for third place.
That position would be a saving face for one team, while the other would still have much to boast about in going this far and surpassing expectations.
For Canada a first-time participant which faces Uruguay, a legacy national team that has participated in Copa America from the very beginning when it was called the South American Football Championship (Campeonato Sudamericano de Futbol) and is tied with Argentina for most championships in the tournament, it is a merely a consolation prize, but one they must attain to exit the event with their dignity.
Los uruguayos Mathias Olivera, Federico Valverde, José Giménez y Giorgian De Arrascaeta durante los lanzamientos de penaltis ante Brasil en Las Vegas, Nevada. EFE/EPA/ALLISON DINNER
EFE/EPA/ALLISON DINNER
For Uruguay, it is a must-win that even if successful, will not wipe away the memory of the events of last Wednesday evening, during and after the match against Colombia at Bank of America Stadium, the site of tonight’s game as well.

On the other hand, the Canadians who lost against Argentina (2-0), could make history for their national team by taking third place in their first participation.

The matches for third place are usually played without pressure for the players of both teams, so they are more open and allow more creative freedom for the players.

Alphonso Davies de Canadá (primer plano) en acción contra Angel Di Maria de Argentina (fondo) durante la Copa América 2024. EFE/EPA/CJ GUNTHER
EFE/EPA/CJ GUNTHER

Uruguay was informed that Guillermo Varela was sent off for a fight on the field, after the semifinal against Colombia, with an official of the Colombian national team. He will miss the final for third and fourth place, as will Nicolás De La Cruz, suspended for accumulation of cards, and Ronald Araújo, injured.

All the other players, including those involved in the brawl in the stands, are currently available, although it is unclear whether coach Marcelo Bielsa will decide to start them.

Nahitan Nández, who missed the semifinal with Colombia due to a red card against Brazil in the quarterfinals, will return.

Uruguay will play a Copa America third-place match for the fourth time. This format was introduced in 1975.

In 2001, they lost in a penalty shootout against Honduras (4-5), in 2004 they beat Colombia 2-1 and in 2007 they lost 1-3 to Mexico.

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