Canada 2-2 Uruguay (3-4 pens): La Celeste snatch third place after Davies´ failed Panenka

Alphonso Davies’ failed Panenka attempt proved decisive as Uruguay edged out Canada in the Copa America third-place play-off on penalties, following a 2-2 draw in Charlotte.

Luis Suarez’s stoppage-time equaliser sent the contest the distance, after goals from Ismael Kone and Jonathan David had cancelled out Rodrigo Bentancur’s earlier strike at the Bank of America Stadium.

Sergio Rochet then gave Uruguay the advantage in the shoot-out when he denied Kone’s tame penalty, meaning Davies had to score with Canada’s fifth spot-kick.

However, the Bayern Munich clipped his effort against the crossbar, with La Celeste subsequently snatching third place from under the tournament debutants’ noses.

Uruguay earns a spot on the podium pic.twitter.com/83CM12c79H

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 14, 2024

Uruguay took the lead after just eight minutes when Sebastian Caceres diverted a corner to the feet of Bentancur who, on the turn, brilliantly lashed into the roof of the net.

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

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

Canada then went close to completing the turnaround before half-time with Tani Oluwaseyi nodding wide while Nahitan Nandez – back from suspension – cleared Jonathan Osorio’s header off the line.

Oluwaseyi had another opportunity on the hour mark but, this time, was thwarted by Rochet after latching onto a neat throughball.

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, while blocking Brian Rodriguez’s attempt soon after.

Davies drilled just wide, and Federico Valverde clipped the top of the crossbar before David edged Canada in front 10 minutes from time, reacting quickest to scramble the ball home after Rochet could only parry Kone’s fierce drive.

However, there was to be a late twist when, in the second minute of stoppage time, Suarez turned in Jose Gimenez’s cross to force a penalty shoot-out.

Rochet denied Kone from 12 yards and, with Uruguay scoring all four of their penalties, La Celeste could celebrate after Davies’ Panenka attempt came back off the crossbar.