Canada hold nerve in penalty shootout to set up Copa América semi-final with Argentina
Canada defeated Venezuela 4-3 on penalties on Friday to reach the Copa América semi-finals for the first time. The match ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw.
After the teams were tied after five attempts, Wilker Ángel’s penalty was saved by Maxime Crépeau in the shoot-out and Ismaël Koné converted the winning penalty to allow Canada to continue.
“This is amazing, [we’ll play in] “The semi-finals of the Copa América,” Crépeau told Fox Sports after the game. “I think everyone has to realize how much respect this country and these football players deserve. Everyone says, ‘Okay, these Canadians.’ Well, these Canadians are in the semi-finals.”
Canada will face reigning champion Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday for a chance to play in the July 14 final. The semifinal is a rematch of the tournament’s opening game, which saw reigning champion Argentina win 2-0.
Canada, who scored just one goal in their three group stage matches, started the match with unusual urgency and their pressure was rewarded in the 13th minute when Jacob Shaffelburg turned in a cross from Jonathan David. After scoring, Schaffelburg held the number 17 jersey of teammate Tajon Buchanan, who broke his leg in training earlier this week, above his head.
Jesse Marsch’s team missed several chances to extend their lead in the first half. Shaffelburg tested goalkeeper Rafael Romo from the edge of the penalty area and David shot the ball wide of the post after finding himself in a one-on-one situation.
Venezuela wanted to score and had more possession, but largely limited themselves to speculative crosses and long-range shots. Their all-time top scorer, Salomón Rondón, was saved twice by Crépeau.
Canadian Cyle Larin fired over the bar from close range in the 52nd minute. Two minutes later, a rebound fell to the feet of Venezuelan José Martínez in the penalty area at the other end, but his effort also went high.
Venezuela eventually found the equalizer in the 64th minute through Rondón, who saw Crépeau off his goal and produced an audacious lob that sailed over the scrambling goalkeeper and into the empty net. It was the former Everton and Newcastle United striker’s 44th goal for Venezuela.
Canada responded well to the equalizer, with substitute Liam Millar having an effort from a difficult angle saved in the 67th minute, before Tani Oluwaseyi fired over the bar twice in the space of four minutes. Neither team could score the winning goal before the game went to penalties.