Penalty shootout drama as Leeds legend Marcelo Bielsa faces Jesse Marsch in Copa America

It saw Leeds icon Bielsa see red mist in his post-match press conference, taking aim at the organisation of the tournament, the condition of the pitches and much more. It also meant a third-place play-off.

In the other semi-final, Lionel Messi finally scored his first goal of the tournament as Argentina eased past Jesse Marsch’s Canada to win 2-0. Marsch’s side faced Bielsa’s Uruguay last night in a huge game.

Bielsa vs Marsch: Penalty shootout ends in 2-2 draw

Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur headed Uruguay ahead from a corner with a wonderful early finish, but Marseille’s Ismael Kone responded with an even better finish from a Canada corner, curling the ball past the keeper.

Canada had the better chances and Jonathan David came off the bench to score late on, but Liverpool and Barcelona icon Luis Suarez scored in stoppage time to take the game to penalties.

Missed penalties by Kone and Alphonso Davies, of all players, gave Uruguay the shootout victory, with Bielsa edging out Marsch in a brilliant encounter between the two former Leeds managers in North Carolina.

There’s no doubt who Leeds fans would like to win

In terms of players and who should have won the game on paper, Uruguay prevailed in the end. Leeds fans must have been desperate to see Bielsa win and beat Marsch in the early hours of this morning.

But it is a testament to the work Marsch has put in that his underdog Canada has achieved so much more than expected and reached the semi-finals of a competition where they were expected to struggle.

However, Leeds fans will be delighted to see that it was Bielsa who finally got the win over a Marsch side who really should have won given the odds. It will be interesting to see whether both men remain in their jobs.

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