Canada secured a spot in the Copa America semi-finals, defeating Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Texas.
The match was decided when Ismael Kone netted the decisive penalty, following a crucial save by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau on Wilker Angel’s attempt.
Earlier in the game, Canada took the lead with Jacob Shaffelburg’s early goal, but Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon equalized with a stunning 65-yard lob, leaving the sides deadlocked after 120 minutes.
With this victory, tournament debutants Canada will face world champions Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday. This semi-final match will be 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.”
Despite the loss, Venezuela coach Fernando Batista remains optimistic, focusing on their World Cup qualification campaign. Venezuela, the only South American team never to qualify for a World Cup, currently sits fourth in the qualifying standings 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. “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.”
