Canadian player Ismael Kone managed to beat Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo in the penalty shootout during the 2024 Copa America quarter-final match between Venezuela and Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday (6/7/2024) WIB.
ARLINGTON, SATURDAY — Canada’s debutant team won 4-3 (1-1) on penalties over surprise team Venezuela in the quarterfinals of the Copa America on Saturday (6/7/2024) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA. In the semifinals, CONCACAF’s Canada again faced CONMEBOL’s Argentina, the Copa America Brazil 2021 champions.
Canada and Argentina are in Group A with Peru and Chile. The debutant team under coach Jesse Marsch (USA) reached the quarterfinals after losing 0-2 to Argentina, winning 1-0 to Peru and drawing 0-0 with Chile. Canada faced Venezuela, who surprisingly won Group B with wins of 2-1 over Ecuador, 1-0 over Mexico and 3-0 over Jamaica.
Also read: Venezuela vs Canada, a surprise against Copa America debutants
The day before Venezuela’s match against Canada, Argentina won 4-2 (1-1) on penalties against Ecuador in the quarterfinals. For this reason, Canada will once again face Argentina, winner of 15 Copa Americas, in the semifinals. Argentina is the opponent that beat them in the elimination thanks to goals from forward Julian Alvarez and substitute forward Lautaro Martinez.
The match between Venezuela’s “La Vinotinto” (Red Wine) and Canada’s “Les Rouges” went to a penalty shootout in 90 minutes of regulation time, ending in a 1-1 (1-0) draw. Canada took the lead with a goal from attacking winger Jacob Shaffelburg in the 13th minute off an assist from attacking midfielder Jonathan David. The score was tied with a goal from captain and forward Salomon Rondon in the 65th minute. Rondon, best striker The Venezuelan, with 42 goals in 107 appearances, surpassed David’s mark and deceived goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau with a curling volley from almost halfway up the pitch.
Venezuelan player Wilker Angel was disappointed after missing the penalty shootout during the Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Venezuela and Canada at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, Saturday (6/7/2024) WIB.
In the penalty shootout, Canada won after David, defender Moise Bambito, young captain and left back Alphonso Davies and substitute midfielder Ismael Kone successfully took the penalty. Substitute midfielder Liam Millar’s penalty was completed and midfielder Stephen Eustaquio was hit by goalkeeper Rafael Romo’s block.
We are certainly very happy to be able to make history by reaching the semi-finals of this tournament as debutants.
The defeat halted Venezuela’s surprise ambition to at least match the performance that was halted in the semi-finals of the 2011 Copa America in Argentina. The defeat was due to midfielder Yangel Herrera’s run as he drifted to the left, substitute striker Jefferson Quintero’s shot and substitute defender Wilker Anger’s shot being blocked by goalkeeper Crépeau.
Also read: Canada vs. Chile, fight for true “red” status
Canada’s penalty shootout win was the second of five such situations. In their previous two matches, Canada lost on penalties to the United States, 2-4 in the semifinals of the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 4-5 in the quarterfinals of the same tournament in 2023.
For Venezuela, the defeat brought the list of penalty shootout defeats to two. Previously, Venezuela lost on penalties 3-5 to Paraguay in the semifinals of the 2011 Copa America. The fourth-place finish in the CONMEBOL continental tournament since 1916 was Venezuela’s best achievement. Along with Ecuador, Venezuela is one of ten CONMEBOL members that have never won the Copa America.
Expressions of Venezuelan players during the penalty shootout in the 2024 Copa America quarterfinal match between Venezuela and Canada at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, Saturday (6/7/2024) WIB.
After the game, Marsch said his team deserved to win and would try to defeat the defending champions in the semi-finals. This statement is backed up by statistics that show Canada has an expected goals (xG) of 1.87 or higher than Venezuela’s 0.97.
Also read: Peru vs Canada, debutant’s first win in tough Copa America match
Despite losing possession (45 per cent to 55 per cent), Canada managed 16 shots, including seven on goal. Romo made six saves. Venezuela also had 16 shots in the game, but five were on target. Crépeau made four key saves while becoming a hero in the penalty shootout.
“We are certainly very happy to be able to make history by reaching the semi-finals of this tournament as debutants,” said Marsch.
The semi-final opponent is already known, even if it is considered too tough, but Canada has learned its lesson. Especially the defeat in the preliminary round and the victory until the penalty shootout against the surprise team of Venezuela. (PA)
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