Copa America – Canada knocks out Venezuela and joins Argentina in semi-finals

This Copa quarter-final between Canada and Venezuela had all the makings of a football match: animation, chances, atmosphere, drama. And, for its first participation, it was the maple leaf that flew towards the semi-finals. Jesse Marsch’s men overcame Venezuela, in the din of the Arlington, Texas stadium, following a penalty shootout won 4-3 at the end of 90 lively minutes (1-1) that they generally dominated.

They will try to take their revenge on Messi’s Argentina, the defending champion they met in the opening match (2-0 defeat). The Reds’ start was ideal, with the opening score in the 13th minute. Lille player Jonathan David provokes on his right side, puts the defense at bay and slips the ball to Jacob Sheffelburg. The dashing number 14 just has to slip it into the back of the net.

Canada then multiplied the chances, in an ultra-lively match. In the 24th, Sheffelburg came close to a double with a shot saved in extremis by the Venezuelan goalkeeper. Two minutes later, an express counter. Launched by captain Alphonso Davies, Sheffelburg, once more, passed to Jonathan David who shot wide. The attacks did not stop, in the 31st, number 9 Cyle Larin was a toe away from making the break, the ball flew just in front of him on an outside of his teammate Laryea.

Venezuela showered in 6th penalty shootout

But the Venezuelans pushed, with a wave of chances in the second half. Number 13 Martinez let loose a heavy strike (54th) and four minutes later, Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau pulled off a sublime save to avoid being lobbed. Once, but not twice. In the 63rd, the Canadian dike gave way with a lob from the flat of the foot by striker Salomon Rondon that engulfed the goalkeeper and ended up in the net following a rebound.

Enough to make the Venezuelan fans exult, before being doused at the end of the evening by a penalty shootout where the two teams traded blows, missing and scoring at the same time. The 6th shot made the difference: Venezuela missed but Canada did not.