Copa America: Uruguay beat Canada on penalties to clinch third place
14-Jul-2024 04:26 PM 8403
Charlotte, July 14 (Reporter) Sergio Rochet saved a crucial spot-kick as Uruguay overcame Canada 4-3 on penalties in the Copa America third-place playoff on Saturday. Rodrigo Bentancur put Uruguay ahead in Charlotte with a powerful eighth-minute strike but Ismael Kone equalized with an acrobatic overhead kick shortly after. The game looked headed for a 1-1 stalemate before substitute Jonathan David bundled home from close range after Rochet parried away Kone's long-range effort 10 minutes from time. There was another dramatic turn in the second minute of stoppage time when veteran striker Luis Suarez, who replaced Darwin Nunez at halftime, combined with Jose Gimenez and slotted a shot into the top left corner. With no extra time, the match went straight to a penalty shootout. Rochet gave his side the advantage when he dived to his left to deny Kone with Canada's third attempt. Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Suarez converted their next two attempts for Uruguay before Alphonso Davies sent Canada's fifth spot-kick crashing against the crossbar as the Celeste prevailed 4-3 in the shootout. "It was a hard blow, the previous match [against Colombia], but we knew we had to be mentally prepared because it was not the same to finish third than fourth," Rochet said afterwards. "We put in a great effort in this match but the wear and tear was noticeable. We tied it with a great goal by Suarez and we finished it off in penalties." On Sunday, defending champions Argentina confront Colombia at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in the final of the continental tournament...////...
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