If it hadn’t already, the South American soccer community has now stood up and taken notice of the Canadian men’s team as it continues its sensational run at the Copa América.
Canada advanced to the final four in its debut at the prestigious international tournament after earning a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela in Friday’s quarterfinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored early for Canada before Salomón Rondón equalized in the second half of a wild match. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau then made two saves in the shootout, while Ismaël Koné scored in the sixth round to secure one of the biggest wins in Canadian men’s team history.
Canada will meet Argentina in the semifinals on July 9 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in a rematch from the group stage, when the World Cup champions earned a 2-0 win over the Reds in Atlanta.
Here’s a recap of Friday’s Copa América action.
THE RESULT
Venezuela 1 (3), Canada 1 (4) [penalties] in Arlington, Texas: Match report
MAIN TALKING POINTS
A gutsy performance from the Canadian men’s team
In its opening match of the Copa América, Canada took a pragmatic approach, while still causing Argentina plenty of grief, and held its own before eventually succumbing to the World Cup holders.
A 1-0 win over Peru and a 0-0 draw against Chile in subsequent group stage tussles were physical affairs that more closely resembled street fights. But again, Canada stayed disciplined and managed to grind out the results it needed to advance to the knockout stage.
Friday’s win over Venezuela was something quite different. This was a version of the Canadian team that we hadn’t yet seen under Jesse Marsch since he took over the coaching reins in May. With only one goal in its first five matches under Marsh, Canada finally woke up from its attacking slumber and managed to impose itself in a breathless game against an opponent that was just as committed to attack with fervent fever.
Forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin effectively linked up and asked consistent questions for Venezuela’s back line, while wingbacks Jacob Shaffelburg and Richie Laryea offered plenty of support down the flanks with their penetrating runs and dangerous balls into the box.
Canada attacked often and with purpose, causing Venezuela all kinds of headaches with its speed and directness in the final third of the pitch. At the same time, the South Americans struggled to break down and get in behind a Canadian defence that was anchored by the central duo of Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius, and ably abetted by Alistair Johnston and Alphonso Davies.
A loud and largely pro-Venezuelan crowd made for a wild atmosphere inside AT&T Stadium, but Canada wasn’t intimidated and remained focused. The Canadians also didn’t lose their heads when they routinely came out on the wrong end of some questionable decisions and non-calls from Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.
Mature and poised, the Canadians admirably held their nerve through 90 minutes of end-to-end action in regulation time, and it was that same steely resolve that served them well in the shootout. Twice, Canada had a chance to take a commanding lead but blew it when both Liam Millar and Stephen Eustáquio saw their shots saved.
But the Reds wouldn’t be denied. Davies converted with Canada facing elimination and then goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau came up big to thwart Wilker Ángel. With a chance to win it for Canada, youngster Ismaël Koné scored to set up a rematch with Argentina.
Jacob Shaffelburg: The “Maritimes Messi”
Nashville SC’s Jacob Shaffelburg made his debut for Canada in 2020, but he didn’t make the roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was largely overlooked by former coach John Herdman.
Newly-installed Canadian manager Jesse Marsch clearly sees something in Shaffelburg, as the 24-year-old native of Nova Scotia has featured in each of Canada’s first five games since Marsch was hired in May. Shaffelburg impressed coming off the bench in Canada’s 2-0 loss to Argentina and its 1-0 win over Peru in the group stage, so much so that Marsch, who has a well-earned reputation for giving young players a chance, rewarded the crafty winger with starts in Canada’s next two games. Shaffelburg repaid Marsch’s faith with a stupendous man-of-the-match effort against Venezuela on Friday night.
Shaffelburg was a constant thorn in Venezuela’s side, tormenting its defenders with his pace and nimble movement with the ball at his feet. The Canadian speedster made consistent probing runs down both flanks and routinely got into the South Americans’ box, while at the same time setting up his teammates with scoring chances.
His brilliance was on full display in Canada’s opening goal in the 13th minute. Recognizing that teammate Alistair Johnston was going to take a quick throw-in to catch Venezuela napping, Shaffelburg made a lung-busting, 40-yard run into the penalty area before getting on the end of a Jonathan David feed and firing past goalkeeper Rafael Romo. It was Shaffelburg’s third goal in 13 appearances for Canada.
The South Americans knew they had a problem on their hands and began to systematically foul Shaffelburg with some brutal tackles in order to slow him down. But Shaffelburg, who has become known as the “Maritimes Messi,” shook it off and continued to unbalance the Venezuelan defenders with his deadly combination of speed and exquisite ball control before being subbed out midway through the second half.
STAT OF THE DAY
Winger Jacob Shaffelburg has three goals in 14 appearances for Canada, with all of them coming in crucial contests:
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
Jacob Shaffelburg celebrated scoring the game’s opening goal by running to the Canadian team bench, grabbing a Tajon Buchanan jersey and hoisting it in the air in tribute to his injured teammate. Buchanan was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair a fractured tibia he suffered during Canada’s practice the previous day.
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA POST
Venezuela must have sighed in collective relief when Jacob Shaffelburg was subbed out in the 62nd minute. Up until then, the Canadian winger tormented Venezuela’s defenders with his pace and probing runs down both wings.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada): Soccer fans around the world found out why Shaffelburg is being called the “Martimes Messi.” The 24-year-old from Nova Scotia scored the game’s opening goal and was Canada’s most consistent attacking threat before he was subbed out.
2. Alistair Johnston (Canada): The Celtic defender was immense on the right side of Canada’s four-man back line. He made seven tackles and blocked three shots (both team highs) and it was his heads up play to take a quick throw-in that directly led to Shaffelburg’s opening goal.
3. Salomón Rondón (Venezuela): The veteran striker registered a game-high five shots as he effectively led the line for the South Americans before scoring the equalizer in the 64th minute with a long-range effort.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday is a quarterfinal double-header at the Copa América as Colombia takes on Panama and Uruguay clashes with Brazil. Panama managed to defeat the United States and beat them out for second place in their opening round group, so they’ll be full of confidence going up against a Colombian side that was one of the pre-tournament favourites. While Brazil laboured through the group stage, Uruguay won all three of its matches and is riding high, making it the favourite in this match between two South American powerhouses.
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 20 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic can be found here.