In a dramatic quarterfinal clash, Canada secured a historic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Venezuela on Friday, advancing to the Copa America semi-finals for the first time. The match, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, ended 1-1 after regular time and extra time, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
Canada, known for their defensive play, displayed an unusual urgency from the start. Their early pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Jacob Shaffelburg converted a precise cross from Jonathan David, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Venezuela, however, fought back with determination. In the 64th minute, their leading goalscorer Salomon Rondon took advantage of an opportunity, lobbing the ball over Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who was caught off his line. The audacious goal leveled the score at 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Penalty Shootout Decides the Winner
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout after neither team could break the deadlock in extra time. Both teams were level after five attempts each, but the turning point came when Wilker Angel’s spot-kick was saved by Crepeau. Ismael Kone then stepped up for Canada and calmly slotted home the decisive penalty, sealing their victory.
With this win, Canada moves on to face the defending champions Argentina in the semi-finals on Tuesday in New Jersey. The upcoming match offers Canada a chance to compete in the final on July 14, marking a significant milestone in their Copa America campaign.