Canada reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America after seeing off Venezuela 5-4 on penalties. The sides drew 1-1 in normal time with Jacob Shaffelburg put the Maple Leaves in front after 13 minutes, but Venezuela’s talismanic striker Salomon Rondon made it 1-1 in the 64th minute.
With no further goals in the game, penalty shootout beckoned where Canada missed twice and Venezuela missed three, allowing Ismael Kone to fire home the winning penalty. Canada will now compete with reigning champions Argentina on Tuesday for a place in the finals. Here are some of the key highlights from the game:
Venezuela vs Canada Highlights
1′ – KICK-OFF! The match gets underway at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas!
3′ – SAVE! Venezuela’s talismanic forward Salomon Rondon’sattempt is deflected but Maxime Crepeau makes the save
8′ – SAVE! Cyle Larin’s shot nearly leads to a goal for Canada
13′ – GOAL! Jacob Shaffelburg puts Canada 1-0 up after latching onto a deflection
15′ – WIDE! Rondon’s header is just wide
24′ – ALMOST! Shaffelburg makes an attempt from the centre of the box, but Venezuelan custodian Rafael Romo blocked it away
31′ – CHANCE! Larin makes an inviting pass for Jonathan David, who misses it by inches with the goal gaping
45+4′ – CLEARED! Venezuela create a great chance from a set-piece but Eustáquio clears it away
45′ – HALF-TIME: Venezuela 0-1 Canada
46′ – SECOND-HALF BEGINS! Venezuela look to claw their way back
52′ – SHOT! Larin comes within a chance but his shot flies over
64′ – GOAL! Salomon Rondon brings Venezuela level with his record-extending 45th international goal
77′ – MISS! Tani Oluwaseyi came withing a great chance of scoring but his shot narrowly misses the crossbar
89′ – DOUBLE MISS! Ali Ahmed fires wide from the left before Ismaël Koné curved one narrowly wide from the right
90′ – FULL-TIME! It ends 1-1 between Venezuela and Canada; the Maples Leaves won 5-4 in the penalty shootouts
Key Moment Of The Game
Salomon Rondon brought Venezuela level in the 64th minute with a fabulous strike from range. Having caught out the Canadian defense on the break, he only had Maxime Crepeau to beat, with the Canadian goalkeeper coming rushing off his line. Rondon then slammed one over him which took a bounce before finding the net.
Player Of The Match – Jon Aramburu
Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu was a revelation on the left flank. He won a staggering 14 ground duels, highlighting his ball-winning capabilities and made 12 tackles too as the left-back was a thorn in Canada’s flesh.