Uruguay predicted lineup for Copa America 2024 third place clash against Canada

The tournament debutants stand in the way of La Celeste and the Bronze medal.

With the third spot in Copa America 2024 at stake, the Uruguay national football team will lock horns with Canada at the Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina. La Celeste lost to Colombia in a theatrical encounter, which witnessed a series of yellows, reds, and even some post-match violence.

Uruguay dominated in the entire group stage of the ongoing tournament but failed to capitalize on their momentum in the knock-outs. They managed to go ahead against Brazil in the quarters after winning the tie-breaker but eventually lost to Colombia in the semi-final and bid adieu to the dream of clinching the 16th Copa America title.

After three matches of sheer domination and two matches with no goals to their name, let’s see how Uruguay would line up in their final battle of Copa America 2024 to secure the third spot:

Uruguay’s predicted lineup against Canada (4-5-1)

Goalkeeper: Sergio Rochet

The Internacional goalie gave his all in the ongoing competition. Sergio Rochet conceded only two goals while managing to keep three clean sheets in five games. He saved three shots on target in the quarters, forcing a formidable Brazil to score zero goals.

Right Back: Nahitan Mendez

The 28-year-old operates as a side-back in Bielsa’s system and has made his presence felt in the ongoing competition. His role is inseparable in Uruguay’s winning run till the quarters. He was out of the semi-final game after receiving a red in the Brazil game. Now, with the third spot at stake, he is expected to start again.

Centre Back: Jose Maria Gimenez

The Atletico Madrid full-back has featured four times for Uruguay in this tournament. He started only once while coming in as a substitute on the other three occasions. He captained the side in the semi-final loss and was having an average game there.

Bielsa is expected to make him start in this one. The game in Charlotte is another opportunity for the popular centre-back to prove his worth yet again.

Centre Back: Sebastian Caceres

The 24-year-old made four appearances in the ongoing tournament. However, in three games he didn’t receive enough minutes, playing half an hour in the first one, 45 minutes in the quarters, and just 1 minute against the USA. 

Sebastian Caceres had a decent outing in the semis, and now with Ronald Araujo down, this can be an ideal opportunity for him to prove his worth.

Left Back: Mathias Olivera

The SSC Napoli left-back has been consistent in the competition, starting every game and playing error-free football. The defender even scored the only goal against the USA, earning his side full points. Olivera has to take most of the responsibilities in the Uruguayan defence in this battle for the third spot against Canada.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Federico Valverde

The revered Real Madrid midfielder will be of high value in this game like he has been in the entire competition for Uruguay. He has started in every game and played almost every minute, except for the first two games where he was subbed in the dying minutes. 

He scored a well-struck goal against Bolivia from a Facundo Pellistri assist. The captain’s role against Les Rouges will be to control the midfield and dispose of any threats that try to damage the defence line.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte needs to gel up with Valverde and the entire midfield. The 23-year-old highly talented Paris Saint-Germain star gave his all in the previous games and earned good praise for it. His quality passes and off-the-ball movement will be crucial in the upcoming match.

Right Midfielder: Facundo Pellistri

The prolific Manchester United midfielder is expected to operate from the right as he has done in all the previous battles. The pacy player is known for his ability to penetrate into the opponent’s back-line and can be a big concern for Alphonso Davies and Co.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Giorgian de Arrascaeta

The 1.74m attacking midfielder is expected to cater from the front as he did in three of the four matches he featured in. Arrascaeta providing perfect assists to the lethal frontline of Uruguay will be the biggest threat to Canada.

Left Midfielder: Maximiliano Araujo

Not many would have thought that the Toluca winger would start in every game for Uruguay, but he did. He played exceptional football for the 15-time winners, scoring two goals in the first games and providing an assist. His goal participation rate is 23 per cent. Fans will expect him to give a similar performance in the last encounter.

Striker: Darwin Nunez

The Liverpool forward was the main man in Bielsa’s plans in the forward line. He met the high bars of expectation in the initial games but failed to convert in the last three games. In the loss against Colombia, he missed some good chances too. The 25-year-old has a golden chance here to earn his nation a third spot.

With the championship out of the question, Bielsa would field Nunez from the very start with a third spot at stake but root for the Legend Luis Suarez as the game proceeds. This would be an ideal opportunity for Suarez to prove his worth, after getting fewer minutes and being involved in a post-match brawl in the last game.

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