by Uruguay won the shootout 4-3, thanks to Alphonso Davies’s botched Panenka attempt. Ismael Kone and Jonathan David scored goals, while Luis Suarez’s stoppage-time equalizer took the match into overtime.
Uruguay took the lead in the shootout after Sergio Rochet denied Kone’s penalty, allowing Davies to score with Canada’s fifth spot-kick. Bayern Munich’s attempt was saved against the crossbar, securing third place. Uruguay took the lead after eight minutes when Sebastian Caceres deflected a corner to Bentancur.
Canada equalized in the 22nd minute through a corner kick by Kone, but La Celeste’s Facundo Pellestri missed a chance to retake the lead, as offside was raised against Darwin Nunez for interference during the build-up. Dayne St. Clair refused Maximiliano Araujo.
The Canucks nearly completed their turnaround before halftime, with Tani Oluwaseyi netting a wide shot and Nahitan Nandez clearing Jonathan Osorio’s header. However, Rochet saved Oluwaseyi’s second chance at the hour mark.
Derek Cornelius prevented Suarez from tapting in with a last-ditch sliding challenge, saving Canada’s goal. Federico Valverde clipped the crossbar after David shot wide. Ten minutes remaining, David scrambled the ball home after Rochet parried Kone’s drive to give Canada the advantage.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Suarez scored a cross from Jose Gimenez, forcing a penalty shootout. All four penalties were scored by Uruguay, and when Davies’s Panenka attempt struck the crossbar, La Celeste could rejoice.
Uruguay has won the Copa America trophy 15 times, equaling Argentina’s record. However, it now has 16 more years of experience in the third-place playoff. La Celeste, with a nine-win strike rate, has lost three of its past four matches. A fourth defeat in five is expected when David completes Canada’s turnaround in the 80th minute.
Uruguay secured third place in the Copa America after Suarez scored a last-gasp equalizer, setting up a penalty shootout where they scored four times from the spot, securing their second-best performance in the 21st century, a record they held since 2004 and lifting the trophy seven years later.
Canada’s Marsch team matched the second-best performance of a Copa America debutant from outside CONMEBOL by securing third place, similar to Honduras’ 2001 performance. The Canucks were boosted by Uruguay’s winless record in three previous Copa America knockout games against CONCACAF opponents. Canada demonstrated brilliant character and was close to winning the bronze medal, but Suarez denied it victory.
Canada, after defeating Venezuela on penalties in the quarterfinals, has positive momentum ahead of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina will face Colombia in the final to decide the continental title, despite not achieving victory.
