FULL TIME
2-2
Uruguay won on penalties
MATCH PREVIEW & MORE INFO
Canada possible starting lineup: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Miller, Davies; Laryea, Osorio, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Larin
Match Preview
Uruguay possible starting lineup: Rochet; Nandez, Gimenez, Olivera, Vina; Valverde, Ugarte; Pellistri, De Arrascaeta, M. Araujo; Nunez
Match Preview
Canada will face Uruguay in the 2024 Copa America third-place playoff at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina on Saturday night.
Canada's journey to this stage saw them eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals. Despite their 2-0 loss to the defending champions, head coach Jesse Marsch praised his team’s performance, which exceeded expectations. Notably, Canada progressed further than other CONCACAF teams such as Mexico and the host nation, the USA, as well as five-time world champions Brazil. Marsch remains optimistic about Canada's future, aiming to build on this success as they prepare to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
Ranked 48th by FIFA, Canada will now focus on securing third place against Uruguay, whom they previously lost to 2-0 in a friendly match in September 2022. Canada will be without Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, who is recovering from a broken tibia. Jacob Shaffelburg is expected to continue on the left flank, while Marsch may move Alphonso Davies from left-back to a more attacking role. Key players Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, Canada’s top two all-time scorers, will lead the attack.
Uruguay, ranked 14th by FIFA, were defeated 1-0 by Colombia in their semi-final clash. Despite Colombia being reduced to 10 men for the entire second half, Uruguay failed to capitalize, registering only two shots on target from 11 attempts. The match ended in controversy, with Darwin Nunez involved in a brawl with supporters. COMNEBOL condemned the violence, and an investigation is underway.
Uruguay aimed for a record 16th Copa America title but will now compete in their 15th third-place playoff, having won nine of their previous 14. However, they have lost three of their last four third-place matches, including a 2007 defeat to Mexico. Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo is out with a muscle injury, while Rodrigo Bentancur is a doubt after sustaining a leg injury against Colombia. Guillermo Varela and Nicolas de la Cruz are suspended, and Nunez could face a ban following the altercation.
Luis Suarez, Uruguay's all-time leading scorer, may start up front if Nunez is suspended. Nahitan Nandez is available to return at right-back after serving his suspension in the semi-finals.
Abhi Bawdekar
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