Canada and Chile Group A Copa America

Orlando, FL – Chile and Canada brought the drama in their 2024 Copa America group stage finale match in front of 24,841 fans at Inter & Co Stadium. There were plenty of yellow cards, chances created, and opportunities squandered. It was win or go home for Chile, who had only managed a draw vs Peru and a defeat at the hands of Argentina. Canada also fell to the defending Copa America champs, but they did earn a huge three points vs Peru. All that just to say, a draw vs Chile was enough for Canada, as Peru would fall to Argentina. Canada makes it out of the group stage and Chile and Peru will probably share a flight back to the Andes.

The biggest deciding factor in the match was probably Gabriel Suazo’s red card in 27′. CONMEBOL matches are known for being gritty, hard-fought matches. However, this edition of the Copa America was being played on US soil. The Toulouse defender was probably playing as if the tournament was being held in South America. Be that as it may, there were two yellow cards handed out in the first 12 minutes of the match. That set the tone for how it would be officiated, which seemed to be ignored by Suazo. A costly miscalculation.

Gabriel Suazo received his 2nd 🟨 card in 27’, earning him a 🟥 and a walk of shame off the pitch.
The game is still scoreless. Chile has been the aggressor thus far, creating most of the chances.pic.twitter.com/geKKWOmqzY

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) June 30, 2024

Missed Opportunities and Growth

For a good amount of the match, it seemed like Chile was destined to break through, despite being down a man. However, Canada showed resiliency and equaled Chile’s output, creating chances of their own. Canada even had a goal called back due to Tani Oluwaseyi being called offside in 92′. Following that, Chile put together one final push and kept the ball near or inside Canada’s final third. However, no threatening shots were taken by Chile.

Jesse Marsch said, “It’s not just the goalkeeper and defender. The entire team has been tactically very organized and very disciplined and it’s meant that we’re very difficult to play against… And that’s what’s enabled us to move on in the group. Now, looking forward, we are not satisfied.”

Next up, Canada faces Venezuela on Friday, July 5th, in the quarterfinal. Venezuela finished atop a Group B that featured Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica.