Luis Suarez scores potential final international goal to lead Uruguay to third-place finish in Copa America victory over Canada

Luis Suarez scores potential final international

Copa AmericaLuis SuarezUruguayCanadaCanada vs Uruguay

Luis Suarez saved Uruguay for pehaps the final time as his late equalizer helped his country to a shootout win over Canada in the Copa America

Suarez scores late equalize

Canada missees twice in shootout

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Saturday’s clash was a bit more lively than typical third-place games as a heavily-rotated Canada team really tried to dictate the match. The Canadians came out determined from the opening whistle, which forced Uruguay to turn things up a notch themselves.

You wouldn’t blame Uruguay for checking out a bit, particularly after the events that unfolded following their semifinal loss to Colombia. However, Marcelo Bielsa fielded a strong XI that included the likes of Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Jose Gimenez, all of whom were among the main characters of the chaos midweek

Uruguay scored first thanks to Betancur, who finished just eight minutes into the match. The lead lasted just 14 minutes, though, before Canadian youngster Ismael Kone’s spectacular flick leveled the match.

From there, Canada continued to push and were rewarded late on after tossing their stars into the match. Jonathan David scored what was thought to be the match-winner in the 80th minute, seemingly sealing third place for Canada. It wasn’t to be, though, as Suarez scored a last-gasp equalizer to send the match to a penalty kick shootout

Once there, both Ismael Kone and Alphonso Davies missed from the spot while Uruguay went a perfect four-for-four to win the shootout 4-3

DID YOU KNOW

This was Canada’s first-ever Copa America, and they finished in fourth place. Les Rouges had previously failed to qualify for the 2016 Copa, which was the last time this tournament was held on U.S. soil

Uruguay, meanwhile, has won this competition 15 times, finished runners up six times and, now, snagged third place on 10 occasions

Luis Suarez:

One more ride for El Pistolero.

If this was it for him a Uruguay shirt, and it very well could be, Suarez went out with one more magic moment. His last-gasp equalizer was his 69th goal in an Uruguay shirt and, while he’s scored more memorable, it felt like it could be a fitting end.

Suarez is a legendary figure, one who has carried Uruguay on his back for years. And, on Sunday, he did it one last time with a late goal to help his country to a podium finish.

THE BIG LOSER

Darwin Nunez:

You know he was just itching to score. After everything that happened midweek, it would have been easy for Nunez to be on autopilot, but that’s just not who he is. This felt like a big game for him, but it never really happened.

The Liverpool star was taken off at halftime, having been relatively ineffective throughout his 45 minutes. His big moment never came. In fact, it never felt close.

Who knows when we’ll see Nunez in an Uruguay shirt again as suspensions and sanctions loom large. A goal would have been a nice message to send but, unfortunately for him, it wasn’t to be.

Canada will now look ahead to a pair of September friendlies against regional rivals as they prepare to face the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico. As for Uruguay, Marcelo Bielsa’s team will also be in action in September for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Venezuela, although it remains to be seen who will be available for those matches once suspensions are dished out

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐