Copa America: From Canada’s scare to Luis Suarez’s “last bullet”

Three minutes separated Canada from a third place finish and handing Uruguay its second loss of the week, to close their run at Copa America.

• READ MORE: Canada 2(3)-(4)2 Uruguay: Highlights, stats and result
• READ MORE: Copa America Stats

Two minutes into the final stoppage time however, a “last bullet” from the “Pistolero” Luis Suárez tied the score 2-2, followed by a losing penalty shootout, frustrating the dreams of the Concacaf guest that went further than any other invited team in this tournament in its very first participation.

Uruguay, which was on track to be one of the favorites for the title going into the semis, did not leave empty-handed. Despite being emotionally shaken after the semi-final defeat against Colombia and the subsequent brawl between its players and Colombian fans in the stands, it eked out a victory by the slimmest of margins.

Copa America: Canada 2(3)-(4)2 Uruguay

• Uruguay earns its second third-place

Uruguay played for the fourth time in a third-place match at Copa América, a format that was introduced in 1975 and which it has won twice.

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

• Luis Suarez’s farewell?

Luis Suárez, who forced the penalty shootout with a striking goal, left his future with the Uruguayan national team up in the air by stressing that “the important thing is to value the effort of the whole team, of the group, and today the case of Suárez is separate”.

However, before the ceremonial acts for the presentation of the third-place medals, Suárez was seen intimately speaking to his teammates, the group gave him a heartfelt round of applause on the side of the field and he also took the match ball.

• Canada put CONCACAF on top

The Canadian national team confirmed its enormous development in soccer and that it is ready to wage ongoing battles with its regional rivals, as it leaves this tournament as the “Concacaf Giant” since as guests, they were the best representatives of the confederation, in reaching fourth place.

The ‘Maple Leaf’ team sent Chile and Peru packing in the group stage, got past Venezuela in the quarterfinals, while losing to Argentina in the semifinals, but have positioned themselves for World Cup 2026, which they will organize together with their Concacaf neighbors Mexico and the United States, whom have recently battled for dominance in the region once solely led by Mexico.

• Luis Suárez delivered; Alphonso Davies was left wanting

In the penalty shootout, two stars players, one on his way toward retirement after an illustrious career, and the other rising just as his team has of late, had their moment to deliver at a critical moment to decide the match. of great quality as Luis Suarez stepped into the moment as he had done many times in the past and while Alphonso Davies miscalculated. 

Both players held the keys to victory with last penalty that was taken by each team but the Canadian left-back tried to surprise goalkeeper Rochet with a ‘Panenka’ shot that crashed into the post, sentencing Canada to defeat.