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 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.
Uruguay spot on to secure bronze
Uruguay have lifted the Copa America trophy on a record-equalling 15 occasions (level with Argentina), but they now have greater experience of contesting the third-place play-off (16 times).
La Celeste boasted a decent strike rate of nine wins from their 15 previous such matches, but they had lost three of the last four.
A fourth defeat in five appeared to be on the cards when David completed Canada's turnaround in the 80th minute.
However, Suarez had other ideas with his last-gasp equaliser setting up a penalty shoot-out where, just like against Brazil in the quarter-finals, Uruguay scored four times from the spot.
With Rochet saving from Kone and Davies hitting the crossbar, La Celeste sealed third place and matched their second-best Copa America performance during the 21st century (also finishing third in 2004, while lifting the trophy seven years later).
Debutants pay the penalty
Marsch's side had the opportunity to match the second-best performance of a Copa America debutant from outside CONMEBOL by securing third place (like Honduras in 2001).
They were also boosted by the fact Uruguay were winless in their three previous Copa America knockout games against CONCACAF opposition.
Canada demonstrated brilliant character to come from behind and were just moments away from bowing out with the bronze medal, before Suarez denied them victory.
But after defeating Venezuela on penalties in the quarter-finals, there was to be no joy from the spot this time around. Nevertheless, they can hold their heads high and have plenty of positive momentum to build on ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.
LA Galaxy v Colorado Rapids: Vanney demands more aggression after Dallas defeat
Greg Vanney hit out at a "purposeless" first-half display from his LA Galaxy side after their 2-0 loss to FC Dallas.
The Galaxy, who are third in the Western Conference, have now lost two of their last three games following that defeat to Dallas last time out.
They host the Colorado Rapids, who are one place and five points behind them in the West, next.
And Vanney wants a more aggressive performance.
"We were purposeless in the first half," Vanney said after the Dallas defeat, as reported by The Galactic Tribune.
"It's like we were going to win the game putting together ten thousand passes and going nowhere and that is what we said at half time.
"We were down 2-0 because we deserved to be down 2-0. We had three shots in the first half, all of them from 25 yards away.
"It just comes down to the overall aggressiveness of our group."
Wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil could not wield their usual influence on proceedings in the first half against Dallas, though Vanney believes the Galaxy stumbled on a solution after the break.
He added: "In the second half, we were able to get [Pec and Paintsil] better looks.
"One-on-one situations or getting them on the run so they're attacking aggressively, and then they have an impact on the game. We've got to do more of that. I'm not interested in being a possession team for the sake of passing the ball around.
"We need to use possession to put the opposition on their heels to score goals to bury them and make them feel like we're relentlessly coming at them, not so they can set up and be comfortable and turn us over and go the other way."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy - Gabriel Pec
Pec has been involved in a goal in nine straight home matches (8 goals, 6 assists), equalling the longest single-season streak in Galaxy history (Landon Donovan in 2005, Robbie Keane in 2012).
Keane had a streak of 10 straight home matches with a goal contribution spanning the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Colorado Rapids - Jonathan Lewis
Lewis has scored four goals in nine career matches against the Galaxy while not scoring more than twice against any other opponent.
All four of those goals were scored at Dignity Health Sports Park, including one in Colorado's 3-1 win at the Galaxy last May.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
Colorado have lost only one of their last seven matches (W5 D1) conceding three goals in that lone defeat (at Los Angeles FC) and conceding a total of four goals in the other six games, not allowing more than one in any of them.
The Galaxy have won seven of their last nine home matches (D1 L1) with the only loss in that time coming at the Rose Bowl against LAFC. LA have not lost at Dignity Health Sports Park since a 4-1 defeat to Dallas last October, avoiding defeat in 10 straight matches in Carson (W7 D3) since.
Colorado, however, have won seven of their last 11 matches against the Galaxy (D3 L1) dating back to 2018. The Rapids had won six of their previous 24 meetings with the Galaxy in all competitions dating back to April 2009.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy - 53.7%
Colorado Rapids - 22.6%
Draw - 23.8%
Wiegman hails England colleague Southgate after Three Lions exit
Sarina Wiegman lauded the "incredible" impact Gareth Southgate has had on English football after the Three Lions' manager confirmed his exit on Tuesday.
Southgate walked away from his role with England after their 2-1 defeat against Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
Having fallen at the same hurdle against Italy, Southgate is the first manager in history to lose two European Championship finals, while England are the first team to suffer defeat at the stage in back-to-back Euros.
England Women's head coach Wiegman knows all too well about the same challenges, though went one further when guiding the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory on home soil, beating Germany in the final.
The pair will likely no longer see one another around England's headquarters, though the Dutchwoman holds Southgate high in her thoughts.
"To be honest, yes, because he's such a nice person and a great coach," Wiegman told ITV after the Lionesses' goalless draw with Sweden in Gothenburg.
"We wouldn't see each other all the time, but when we would, it was very nice. What he has done for English football is just really incredible.
"Of course, they made the final again, they made the final at the last Euros too.
"I think he can be very, very proud of himself. I think England is very proud of him and me as a Dutchie, I'm very proud of him too."
Wiegman's side secured qualification for next year's Women's European Championships with their draw in Sweden.
The Lionesses will now head to Euro 2025 aiming to defend their title in Switzerland.
San Jose Earthquakes v Houston Dynamo: Howard hopes to celebrate investment with road win
Houston Dynamo will hope to celebrate Tim Howard's investment into the side with victory against San Jose Earthquakes when the pair meet in MLS at PayPal Park.
United States men's national team legend Howard was announced as a minority investor in the Dynamo on Tuesday, with Houston excited by his experience.
"His wealth of experience across soccer, both as a player at the highest levels and subsequently as a sporting director and media analyst, will be invaluable within ownership as we continue to build a competitive and successful organisation," majority owner Ted Segal said.
On the pitch, the Dynamo have followed back-to-back victories with just one point across their last two games.
Houston were beaten 3-2 by Western Conference joint-leaders Real Salt Lake before a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United last time out.
The Dynamo still sit eighth in the West standings, and Howard hopes his investment will be rewarded with victory on the road.
"As someone who has dedicated my life to the sport of soccer, I am thrilled to join the Houston Dash and Dynamo ownership group," said Howard.
"This opportunity allows me to further contribute to the growth of the game in the United States and connect with the passionate soccer fans who call Houston home."
San Jose are struggling at the bottom of the same division coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Kansas City.
Houston managed a 2-1 victory in their meeting earlier this season, though interim coach Ian Russell will hope to transform the Earthquakes' fortunes this time around.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse
Jeremy Ebobisse has scored five career goals against the Dynamo, all since 2019.
The only player with more goals against Houston in regular-season play in that time is Alan Pulido (six).
Houston Dynamo – Sebastian Ferreira
Sebastian Ferreira has scored a career-best four goals in four regular-season matches against San Jose, including scoring against the Earthquakes in March.
No Dynamo player has scored more goals against a single team since Ferreira joined the club in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
The Dynamo are the narrow favourites for this clash, despite their recent head-to-head record against San Jose.
The Earthquakes have lost only one of their last six home matches against Houston (W3 D2) including recording a 2-1 win in the last meeting at PayPal Park in April 2023.
San Jose have never won consecutive home games against Houston, however, and their recent form is concerning.
The Earthquakes are the third team to lose 18 times in their first 23 games of a season along with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 and the MetroStars in 1999 (including breakaway shoot-out losses).
Considering the Dynamo have lost just one of their last eight matches, too, Houston should have no problems on the road.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes win – 27.8%
Draw – 24.1%
Houston Dynamo win – 48.1%
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