EPL Players at Copa America 2024 – Day 24
The third place play-off took place at the Copa America, with Uruguay needing penalties to overcome Canada. As part of our EPLNews Copa America report, here is how Premier League players involved in the tournament performed.
Canada 2-2p Uruguay (3-4 in the penalty shootout)
It was a somewhat surprisingly balanced game in Charlotte as the Uruguayans and the Canucks battled for a Copa America podium finish. After opening the scoring in the eighth minute through Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur, the Celeste conceded an equaliser midway through the first half thanks to an overhead kick from Ismaël Koné.
With 10 minutes left to play, it was Jonathan David’s turn to put Canada ahead, seemingly winning the contest for his country. But Luis Suarez had other thoughts, as he found a poacher’s finish in the second minute of injury time, saving the day for his team and taking the game to penalties.
There was more heartbreak for the Canadians, as Ismaël Koné and Alphonso Davies missed their penalties while the Uruguayans scored all four needed and secured a record 10th Copa America bronze medals for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
There were four Premier League players involved in this one, all featuring in the starting XIs. Bentancur was by far the best performer of the bunch, scoring a goal and being a constant nuisance for the Canadian team, while Fulham youngster Luc De Fougerolles played poorly, was booked and subbed off in the 67th minute.
Ratings
Canada: Luc De Fougerolles (Fulham) – 5
Uruguay: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham) – 8; Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United) – 6; Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) – 6.5