On July 14, Beijing time, the battle for the third place in the America's Cup staged a thrilling showdown. World No. 14 Uruguay took the game to penalties thanks to Suarez's stoppage-time equaliser to win the Copa America 6-5 on aggregate over world No. 48 Canada.
At the beginning of the game, Uruguay showed their determination to win and sent a full main lineup. In the ninth minute, Bentancur's brilliant turning volley opened the scoring for Uruguay and seemed to herald an easy victory. However, Canada, which appeared to be a substitute, did not give up easily. In the 21st minute, Koné's back-to-back volley not only equalised, but also demonstrated the indomitable spirit of the Canada team.
In the second half, the Uruguay coach made a key change and brought on Suarez as a substitute. The veteran, who is leaving the national team, has the expectations of the team and the fans on his shoulders, but the speed problems brought on by age have limited his performance. The game came to a close, and when Canada broke the Uruguay door again in the 80th minute, the game seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
But the drama played out in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Suarez received a pass from Jimenez and pushed it into the net to stage a perfect equalizer. This goal not only continued the game, but also left a strong mark on Suarez's final game in his international career. His expression, which was close to tears after the game, spoke about the importance of the goal for him personally and for the entire Uruguay team.
In the penalty shootout, the players of both teams showed superb mental quality and technical level. The first four rounds were tied 3-3, and the suspense was reserved until the last minute. In the end, Canada's Alfonso's spoon penalty hit the crossbar, burying the team's dream of finishing third. Uruguay won 4-3 on penalties and finished third with a thrilling 6-5 aggregate.
This match not only drew a wonderful end to this America's Cup, but also added infinite suspense to the upcoming final. At 8 o'clock Beijing time on July 15, defending champion Argentina will start a championship battle with Colombia. As favourites, Argentina are not only expected to win the 16th Copa America in their history, but also have a chance to continue their dominance on the international stage.
Colombia's strength should not be underestimated. They are unbeaten in 28 games in all competitions, a testament to the overall strength and consistency of the squad. This duel between Messi and Ronaldo is not only a contest between two stars, but also a collision of tactics and wills of two strong teams.
The dramatic conclusion of the third-place match in the America's Cup added uncertainty and antiquity to the entire tournament. Uruguay's tenacious performance in the face of adversity and Canada's stunning performance as a dark horse have cast a veil of mystery over the final. Can Argentina successfully defend their title? Will Colombia stage a dark horse miracle? The answers to these questions will be revealed in a 90-minute contest.
As the Copa America enters its final showdown, football lovers across South America and around the globe will be waiting with bated breath. Regardless of who dies in the end, this match will become another exciting chapter in the history of football, witnessing the glory and legacy of South American football.