A 1-1 draw through regulation Friday night in Arlington, Texas pushed the Copa America quarterfinal matchup between Venezuela and Canada to penalty kicks.
The teams were even at 3-3 after five attempts each. Following a miss from Venezuela’s Wilker Ángel, Ismaël Koné stepped into the box for Canada with a chance to win the game.
He hesitated slightly before burying the ball in the left corner of the net to advance Canada to the semifinals of the team’s first Copa America.
Friday’s quarterfinal match saw an early goal by Canada’s Jacob Shaffelburg in the 13th minute. The Copa America debutant kept that lead through halftime and into the second half as Venezuela turned up the energy and pressure.
Venezuela’s vice captain Salomón Rondón notched the equalizer in the 65th minute and that score held through the end of stoppage time. Koné’s shot secured Canada’s second win in the tournament to move them on to another matchup with tournament favorite Argentina.
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Canada will be back in action on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey to take on Argentina for the second time in the Copa America. The two teams faced off in Group A with Argentina winning 2-0. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Canada got on the board early behind Shaffelburg’s shot in front of the goal.
In honor of teammate Tajon Buchanan, who is sidelined with an injury from training, Shaffelburg sprinted to the sideline to raise Buchanan’s jersey up in celebration.
Venezuela finally got on the board thanks to Rondón – the most experienced player in the national team’s history – floating the ball past Canadian keeper Maxime Crépeau for his third goal of the tournament.
After 11 penalty kicks, Koné made the 12th and final shot of the night to give Canada the victory.
The teams traded makes and misses over the first 10 shots before Ángel’s miss and Koné’s make.
The second-half substitution fired the ball into the left corner for Canada to get the 4-3 edge in penalties and win their quarterfinal match with Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Jhonder Cádiz made it 3-2 with the game on the line for Davies. Canada’s captain sank his attempt to make it 3-3.
Venezuela’s Jefferson Savarino and Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio missed their team’s fourth shot.
Tomás Rincón made the third shot for Venezuela. Canada’s Moïse Bombito responded with a make in the far right corner of the net.
Salomón Rondón and Jonathan David each made the first kick for Venezuela and Canada, respectively. Venezuela’s Angel Herrera and Canada’s Liam Millar missed the second penalty kick.
Multiple shots for both teams in the final 15 minutes failed to connect and, after four minutes of stoppage time, referees ended regulation to send this matchup to penalties. Yesterday’s Argentina-Ecuador match went to penalties as well.
Canada’s Liam Millar had a breakaway attempt and Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu tripped him up to avoid a shot at goal. His effort earned a yellow card.
Ali Ahmed had a great chance on goal but his shot went wide left. A minute later, Ismaël Koné’s curving shot went wide right of goal.
Matías Lacava enters the game for his international debut for Eduard Bello and Jefferson Savarino enters the pitch for Yeferson Soteldo.
Ismaël Koné enters the game for Jonathan Osorio.
Minutes after entering the game, Tani Oluwaseyi earned a great opportunity from the center of the box from a pass by Derek Cornelius. The shot barely missed the crossbar as the game remains 1-1.
Cyle Larin and Richie Laryea are out with Tani Oluwaseyi and Ali Ahmed taking their places.
A clearance by Jon Aramburu left Venezuelan vice-captain Salomón Rondón one-on-one on the attacking side and he floated a shot over Canadian keeper Maxime Crépeau, who was too far outside of the box to catch it.
Venezuelan winger Eduard Bello nearly scored his third goal of the tournament after a cross from Yeferson Soltedo. Crépeau leapt up and knocked it above the goal to keep it 1-0.
A great pass down the right side of the field put Canada in a great spot in the box. Cyle Larin – the active scoring leader for Canada – hastily put up a shot and it went over the net to remain 1-0.
Centre-back Derek Cornelius was shown the yellow for contact with Venezuela’s Yeferson Soteldo.
Jacob Shaffelburg’s goal in the 13th minute remains the difference in the game as both teams head to the locker room.
Possession is nearly even over the first 45 minutes of play. Venezuela’s outshot Canada 10-7 but Canada has more shots on goal with four to Venezuela’s two.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the first half. Venezuela had a good chance with a set piece but Stephen Eustáquio intercepted a pass and cleared out the chance to keep it 1-0 for at least a few minutes longer.
Canada’s Jacob Shaffelburg went down with an injury and went off the field. He re-entered the field too soon afterward and was given a yellow card.
After a deflection, Cyle Larin’s pass missed Jonathan David’s left foot by mere inches and kept the side from scoring another first-half goal.
Shaffelburg had a breakaway counter attack from a pass by Alphonso Davies. He found Jonathan David with only Venezuela’s keeper Romo in the way. David fired a shot past Romo but it sailed wide right of the goal.
After multiple attempts from Venezuela, Canada had one of their better chances at goal with Shaffelburg firing from the center of the box following a pass from Cyle Larin. Venezuelan keeper Rafael Romo blocked it away from goal.
Salomón Rondón had another good chance at a goal in but Canadian keeper Maxime Crépeau blocked it. Minutes later, Crépeau blocked Yangel Herrera’s header attempt from the center of the box.
Canadian striker Tajon Buchanan was injured during training earlier this week and will not play in today’s match. Shaffelburg held up his teammate’s jersey after scoring the first goal of the game.
Venezuela’s Yeferson Soteldo corraled a clearance and floated it perfectly to vice-captain Salomón Rondón in the middle of the box but his header attempt sailed wide left of the goal.
After Cyle Larin’s shot nearly led to a goal in the eighth minute, Jacob Shaffelburg capitalized on a deflection to find the right corner of the net from the center of the box. His goal is just the second of the tournament for Canada.
An attack from Venezuela in the opening minutes tested the Canadian keeper but he deflected the shot from Venezuela’s vice captain Salomón Rondón.
WATCH:Catch all of the action from the 2024 Copa America with a fubo subscription
Venezuela is slightly favored to move on to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America, per BetMGM’s latest soccer odds.
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Joel Lefevre writes: “The Canadians have been a resilient group, but in a match that could be about holding your nerve, we trust the experience of players like Rondon to carry the Venezuelans through.”
Aidan Perkins says: “Canada have some well-known players, including Davies and David, while Venezuela are led by experienced former West Brom and Everton forward Rondon, who has scored 41 goals for his country. It looks set to be tight but Venezuela can maintain their winning form and book themselves a place in the semis.”
Soyoye Jedidiah writes: “Venezuela have been one of the standout sides in the Copa America so far and will head into the weekend clash with a three-game winning streak under their belt… Canada, meanwhile, have won just two of their last seven games across all competitions. They have struggled in front of goal of late and could exit the competition on Friday.”
Thursday, July 4
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Saturday, July 13
Sunday, July 14
As of Friday morning, tickets are still available for the quarterfinal matchup between Venezuela and Canada on SeatGeek starting at $115 each.
The Copa America is one of the oldest soccer competitions in the world. It began in 1916 with all of the national teams from South America. Since the 1990s, national teams from North America and Asia have also been invited.
This year’s tournament includes 10 teams from the CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) and six teams from the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football).
CONMEBOL teams:
CONCACAF teams:
Argentina remains the favorite to win the 2024 Copa America, per BetMGM.
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Professional club in parentheses.
Professional club in parentheses.
FW Jonathan David: The Lille striker scored the team’s lone goal of the tournament so far and drawn nine fouls, tied for third-most in the tournament. Though he didn’t score against Chile, he led the squad by completing 88% of his passes.
DF Alphonso Davies: The Bayern Munich defender and captain has been a key player throughout the tournament for the Copa America debutants. If the squad makes it to the semifinals, Davies will be a huge part of it.
FW Salomón Rondón: Venezuela’s leading scorer and vice-captain has put on a show in this tournament. He’ll set the record for most appearances on the Venezuelan national team with Friday’s match. His experience and scoring will be key for Venezuela to win the race.
FW Eduard Bello: The midfielder’s scored twice in the tournament as well in a secondary scoring role to Rondón in his first Copa America appearance. He’ll also be a key part of the attack for La Vinotinto.
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