Canada survives penalty shootout against Venezuela to make surprise Copa América semifinals
As the teams stepped up to take their spot-kicks, the shootout ended 3-3 after five attempts each. With sweet victory or damaging defeat on the line with potentially one kick, Wilker Ángel had his attempt saved by Canada keeper Maxime Crépeau on the sixth attempt and Ismaël Koné buried the winner to send an elated Canucks squad through.
Jacob Shaffelburg opened the scoring on the night for Canada in the 13th minute, brilliantly finishing off a pass at the near post from forward Jonathan David, who stormed towards goal on the right past Venezuela defender Yordan Osorio off a throw-in.
Sensing the opportunity at hand presented by a quarterfinal, both teams continued to push throughout the first half with chances aplenty for both the Vinotinto and the Canadians.
However, it was the North American side which enjoyed the best opportunities. First, in the 26th minute, Alphonso Davies began a counterattack with a brilliant through-ball to Shaffelburg who set up David in the middle of the pitch, but the Lille forward sent his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Then in the 31st, a loose ball in the area fell to Richie Laryea, whose pass across the goal somehow eluded an unmarked Cyle Larin on the far post.
Canada was made to rue those spurned opportunities as Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer Salomón Rondón scored the equalizer in amazing fashion. Defender Jon Aramburu cleared a Canada throw in to the middle of the pitch and Rondón muscled his way to the ball first and then lofted a shot from over 40 yards after seeing Crépeau off his line.
The resultant wondergoal, which sparked jubilant scenes from the Venezuela faithful, was a just reward for the team’s efforts and the great contest for those in attendance.
Despite Canada’s best efforts to earn the winner in regulation – the Copa América features no extra-time with shootouts after 90 minutes until the final – the match ended with dreaded penalties and a deflated Venezuela.
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