Sports

Canada 2-2 Uruguay (3-4 pens): Super sub Suarez to the rescue as La Celeste win Copa bronze medal

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Veteran striker Luis Suarez’s last-minute equaliser sent the Copa America third-place play-off to penalties, where Alphonso Davies missed the decisive kick, Soccernet.football reports.

Uruguay took the lead just eight minutes in when Sebastian Caceres directed a corner to Bentancur, who turned and brilliantly fired into the roof of the net.

Maximiliano Araujo was denied by Dayne St. Clair from a tight angle before Canada equalised in the 22nd minute with a corner of their own, as Ismael Kone beat Sergio Rochet with a delightful acrobatic flick.

La Celeste thought they had regained the lead within a minute when Facundo Pellestri drilled home, but the offside flag was raised against Darwin Nunez, who was deemed to be interfering with play during the build-up.

Canada nearly completed the turnaround before halftime, with Tani Oluwaseyi nodding wide and Nahitan Nandez, back from suspension, clearing Jonathan Osorio’s header off the line.

Oluwaseyi had another opportunity on the hour mark but was thwarted by Rochet after latching onto a neat through ball.

At the other end, Derek Cornelius came to Canada’s rescue with a superb last-ditch sliding challenge to deny Suarez an almost certain tap-in before blocking Brian Rodriguez’s attempt soon after.

Davies drilled just wide, and Federico Valverde clipped the top of the crossbar before Jonathan David edged Canada in front ten minutes from time, reacting quickest to scramble the ball home after Rochet could only parry Kone’s fierce drive.

However, there was a late twist to the tale as Suarez, a second half substitute, turned in Jose Gimenez’s cross in the second minute of stoppage time to send the game into a shootout.

Rochet saved Kone’s shot from 12 yards, and with Uruguay converting all four of their penalties, La Celeste were declared winners after Davies’ Panenka attempt rebounded off the crossbar.