Canada advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America on Friday after defeating Venezuela 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Jacob Shaffelburg put Canada ahead in the 13th minute, but Salomon Rondon equalized in the 64th. The match went to a penalty shoot-out, where Canada emerged victorious to secure a last-four clash with world champions Argentina.
Under the guidance of American coach Jesse Marsch, who took over the team in mid-May, Canada displayed relentless pressing in their first Copa America appearance, delivering a frenetic performance.
Both teams missed twice in the shoot-out, leaving the score tied at 3-3 after five penalties each, sending the contest into sudden death.
Canada’s goalkeeper Max Crepeau, who had earlier made a significant error leading to Venezuela’s equalizer, redeemed himself by saving Wilker Angel’s kick.
Ismael Kone then had the opportunity to clinch the victory and did so with a coolly taken penalty, igniting celebrations among the 51,080 spectators, most of whom were supporting Venezuela.
Canada will face Argentina again in the semi-finals, having lost 2-0 to the defending champions in their group stage opener. Despite being underdogs, their energetic and determined performance against a Venezuela team that won all three of their group stage matches gives Marsch hope for another upset and a potential spot in the final in Miami on July 14.
Canada started the match aggressively, giving Venezuela little time on the ball and pushing forward in numbers during the early stages.
“Vinotinto” keeper Rafael Romo had to race out of his area to stop Cyle Larin as he raced on to a ball over the top, but there was nothing he could do minutes later when the Canadians took the lead.
Jonathan David charged in from the right, and winger Jacob Shaffelburg arrived just in time to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Shaffelburg, a speedy left-winger for Nashville in Major League Soccer, then forced Romo into a diving save and delivered a low cross that David couldn’t finish.
Canada pressed aggressively, with Richie Laryea sending a ball across the box that a stretching David couldn’t reach.
Cyle Larin missed a big chance just after halftime, finding space in the box but leaning back and firing his shot over the bar.
Marsch’s high-energy tactics began to tire his players, allowing Venezuela to gain control.
Jose Martinez squandered a chance when a poor clearance landed at his feet in the box, but he stabbed his shot wide.
Then, a long ball forward was won by Rondon, who saw Crepeau off his line and from 35 yards out lobbed the ball perfectly over the keeper to make it 1-1.
Canada had late chances to win in regulation time, but substitutes Liam Millar and Tani Oluwaseyi couldn’t find a composed finish.
With no extra-time in Copa America, the match went straight to penalties. After Rondon and David converted, Yangel Herrera hit the post for Venezuela.
Millar then missed, and after Tomas Rincon scored for Venezuela, Moise Bombito leveled for Canada.
Jefferson Savarino hit the post, and Stephen Eustaquio’s weak effort was saved by Romo before both teams scored to make it 3-3.
In sudden death, Crepeau saved Angel’s shot, leaving Kone to handle the pressure and secure the win with an assured penalty.
“Everybody needs to realize the respect this country deserves and these footballers deserve,” Crepeau told Fox Sports.
“Everybody says ‘these Canadians’, well these Canadians are in the semi-finals of Copa America”.