We had to comply after the scandal. After Bielsa’s explosive statements against the Copa America organisers, a final exam had to be taken to close the competition in the most respectable manner. It was necessary not to allow any extra-sports spices to disturb the team. Uruguay faced Canada with a serious task: to maintain concentration and show resilience in a difficult situation. Because the images of the players facing Colombian fans after a 1-0 defeat in the semi-final were still very latent. The noise outside seemed to affect him, but the stainless steel Luis Suarez came to add to his pecking order and turn the tide of a difficult duel, scoring a tantalising tying goal and a crucial penalty in the shootout to finish third.
In the first half, the Celeste were a disorganised team, far from the identity they had shown for much of the competition. The Canadians managed to impose their plan and Bielsa’s team ended up playing on the counter-attack.
Charruas had a hard time showing the line they had been showing for most of the competition. They were all able to play as Conmebol is still studying images of the incidents they were involved in. 11 players, disqualifications have not yet been determined and there have been no preventive sanctions.. Uruguay did not have the usual volume of play. Wingers Pellistri and Araujo were overwhelmed. And the ball did not reach Darwin Nunez. He did not have a good time, but he took the lead thanks to Bentancur’s left-footed strike. Canada responded immediately and made the Celeste difficult with set pieces, an aspect of the game in which Bielsa’s team had already shown its fragility in the semi-final against Colombia. After a header from Bombito, who beat Jimenez very well over the top, Kone sealed the score. And he could have gone to the dressing room with an advantage if Oluwasi had been sharper in his marking.
Canadians, The 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts have not only passed the test at this Copa America, but have also demonstrated that they can be competitive against Class A opponents.. American Jesse Marsh has assembled a team that is characterized by a high block defense. A very physical, intense set that can feel tough at times. And he has sharp forwards like Ahmed and Schaffelburg, who are responsible for feeding the center forward Oluwaseyi. The team’s problem is a lack of efficiency: it generates situations through good combinations, but it lacks efficiency.This is reflected in the statistics: in six matches of the tournament he scored only four goals.
After the semi-final exit against Argentina (0-2). March decided to keep some fundamental elements of the team: Alphonso Davies, his team captain who plays for Bayern Munich, started on the bench. Other important players such as David, the Lille striker, goalkeeper Crepeau and defender Cornelius were also replaced. Apart from the absences, the structure of the team was not greatly affected.
Uruguay responded to the changes in the lineup that refreshed the team. David struck what proved to be a fatal strike to seal Canada’s second goal, but Suarez gave Celeste life in his death throes. And in the penalty, Bielsa let it all out.