(VIDEO) Copa América 2024 Highlights: Canada vs Chile
The Canada national team drew with Chile in a match that ended with a score of 0-0 on the third matchday of the Copa América, held at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. With this result, accompanied by Argentina's victory over Peru, the North American team advanced to the next round as the second place in Group A.
The match, which was decisive for the Chilean national team, started with a rough and intense pace. Only 7 minutes in, Moise Bombito (Canada) received the first yellow card of the match, while Gabriel Suazo (Chile) saw the second booking for a hard tackle in the 12th minute.
In the 17th minute, the Maple Leaf team had the first major chance after a corner kick taken by Stephen Eustáquio, which Alistair Johnston headed towards the goal. The ball was ultimately deflected by Chilean goalkeeper Gabriel Arias.
It wasn't until the 21st minute that Víctor Dávila, currently playing for CSKA Moscow, attempted a bicycle kick inside the Canadian area, creating a dangerous opportunity for Chile; however, the ball went wide of the goal guarded by Maxime Crépeau.
Gabriel Suazo, a Colo-Colo player, was sent off in the 26th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Richie Laryea. However, the free kick resulting from the foul did not pose a threat as it struck the defensive wall.
Arias, 36 years old, played the hero by making a double save following a spectacular close-range block on a shot from Eustáquio in the 41st minute, which was the last significant event of the first half.
The physical demands on both squads began to take a toll when the Andean goalkeeper started to feel physical discomfort; however, after some stretches, Arias was able to continue in a match that saw little danger.
It wasn't until the 73rd minute that the Chileans managed to create a dangerous play, thanks to the individual skill of Alexis Sánchez. "The Wonder Boy" took a shot that, although it deflected off a Canadian defender, Crépeau managed to catch in two attempts.
Chile managed to hold on for over an hour with one man down; however, there was little that Ricardo Gareca's team could do, and they were eliminated from the Copa América with only one goal conceded and none scored, something that hadn't happened since 1917.
In the 91st minute, Canadian forward Tani Oluwaseyi managed to send the ball into the net defended by Arias; however, the goal was disallowed as the Canadian's leg was ahead of Igor Lichnovsky's body.
The match ended with a total of four yellow cards: Bombito (7'), Alphonso Davies (42'), Alistair Johnston (57'), and Liam Millar (66'), in addition to Suazo's expulsion.
