Canada secures semi-final spot with victorious penalty shoot-out against Venezuela

Canada's national football team secured their spot in the Copa America semi-finals after a thrilling victory over Venezuela in Texas. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a tense penalty shootout where Canada emerged victorious with a 4-3 scoreline, SSP reported. Ismael Kone's successful penalty was the deciding factor, as goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau saved Wilker Angel's attempt.

The game showcased moments of brilliance, with Venezuela's Salomon Rondon scoring an impressive 65-yard lob to equalize Jacob Shaffelburg's early strike. Despite playing an additional 120 minutes, neither team could break the deadlock.

Notably, Canada, making their Copa America debut, will face the reigning world champions, Argentina, in the semi-finals. The encounter will take place in New Jersey and marks a rematch of the tournament opener, where Argentina secured a 2-0 victory.

Preparing for the upcoming challenge, Canada coach Jesse Marsch expressed excitement about facing "the best team in the world." As Marsch reflects on the daunting task, he emphasizes the need for his team to deliver their best performance, recognizing that it may still not be enough against a formidable opponent like Argentina.

Meanwhile, Venezuela coach Fernando Batista aims to channel the disappointment from this loss towards their goal of securing a place in the World Cup. Despite their outstanding performance in this Copa America, Venezuela is the only South American team yet to qualify for the prestigious tournament. However, their current position of fourth in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup shows potential progress and motivates them to continue working towards their primary objective.

"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," commented Batista, acknowledging his team's resilience and character displayed throughout the tournament. With their heads held high, they plan to focus on World Cup qualification, determined to maximize their efforts and make further progress.