Of course it had to be Luis Suarez…
The 37-year-old Inter Miami striker, one of the most divisive and controversial players in soccer, came off the bench to level for Uruguay in stoppage time and force this chaotic game to a penalty shootout.
Ismael Kone, who had earlier scored a brilliantly innovative goal, and Alphonso Davies, the star of this Canada team, both failed to convert their penalties to give Uruguay victory.
Rodrigo Bentancur had put Uruguay ahead with a sharp angled finish and Kone equalized for Canada with… well, we’re not quite sure what it was. A standing bicycle kick with one foot planted on the ground, maybe? Anyway, it was ambitious and audacious — and we like that.
Facundo Pellestri saw his first-half goal disallowed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review but then Jonathan David came off the bench to score for Canada in the 80th minute. His side looked set for a $1 million windfall (the team that finishes third at Copa America receives $5 million and the fourth $4 million) but Suarez had other ideas.
Throw in two former Leeds United coaches’ pre-match comments — Marcelo Bielsa said the tournament was “unprofessional” and Jesse Marsch claimed his side has been treated like “second-class” citizens — and this was always going to be a lively encounter.
And ultimately it was Uruguay and Bielsa who came out on top.
Pablo Maurer, Joshua Kloke and Jack Lang dissect the big talking points below…
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Uruguay wins third-place Copa America playoff on penalties, Luis Suarez the hero