Marcelo Bielsa exploded in a press conference following Uruguay’s Copa America semi-final loss to Colombia, but the Leeds United legend would now face Jesse Marsch in the third-place play-off.
Bielsa’s side lost 1-0 against Colombia in a tense match, despite the latter being reduced to ten men just before halftime. Ugly scenes ensued, when Darwin Nunez and others battled with Colombia supporters.
It saw Leeds icon Bielsa see red mist at his post-match press conference, criticising the tournament’s organisation, pitch condition, and many other issues. It also resulted in a third-place playoff.
In the opposite semi-final, Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the tournament as Argentina defeated Jesse Marsch’s Canada 2-0. Marsch’s team played Bielsa’s Uruguay Friday night in a thrilling game.
Bielsa takes on Marsch in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur took Uruguay the lead early on with a fantastic finish from a corner, but Marseille’s Ismael Kone responded with an even better finish from a Canada corner, chipping the goalkeeper.
Canada had the best of the opportunities, and Jonathan David came off the bench to score late on, but Liverpool and Barcelona icon Luis Suarez scored in injury time to force a penalty shootout.
Uruguay won the shootout after missing penalties from Kone and Alphonso Davies, as Bielsa edged off Marsch in a magnificent clash between the two former Leeds managers in North Carolina.
There is no doubt who Leeds fans would have wanted to win.
In terms of talent and who should have won the game on paper, Uruguay emerged victorious. Leeds fans will have been hoping Bielsa would win and beat Marsch early this morning.
But it is a testament to Marsch’s leadership that his underdog Canadian team has outperformed expectations and advanced to the semi-finals of a competition in which they were anticipated to struggle.
However, Leeds fans will be pleased to see that Bielsa eventually won over a Marsch team that should have won given the opportunities. It will be fascinating to see if both continue in their positions.
