Canada makes Copa America Semi-Finals After Penalty Shootout Win Over Venezuela.
Canada has secured a spot in the Copa America semi-finals by defeating Venezuela 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Texas. Ismael Kone netted the decisive spot-kick after goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau saved Wilker Angel’s effort.
The match saw Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon score a stunning 65-yard lob to equalise Jacob Shaffelburg’s early strike, but neither side could break the deadlock after 120 minutes.
Tournament debutants Canada will now face world champions Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday, in a rematch of the tournament opener which Argentina won 2-0.
“We’re going to face the best team in the world in the semi-finals. We’re excited about it,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who was appointed in May. “We’re going to have to play the best game we can play against Argentina and even then it may not be enough.”
Venezuela coach Fernando Batista expressed his disappointment over the loss but remained optimistic about their World Cup qualification prospects. Venezuela, the only South American team never to have qualified for a World Cup, currently sits fourth in qualifying for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“I leave with anger for losing on penalties, without losing a game in 90 minutes, but I leave proud of my players, who had a tremendous Copa America,” said Batista, whose side won all three group games. “The team has more and more character. We have to chew our cud and focus on [World Cup] qualification, which is our main objective. We’ll keep going forward.”
