Canada eliminates Venezuela on penalties and advances to the Copa América semifinals

Venezuela and Canada faced each other this Friday (6) at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas for the quarterfinals of the Copa América. The match, marked by missed opportunities by both teams, saw its first goal scored by striker Shaffelburg in the 12th minute of the first half. Despite trying to react, Venezuela seemed lost and only in the second half did they tie the game with a beautiful goal from outside the area and a lob by striker Rondón in the 18th minute. With no progress on either side, the match was decided on penalties, with Canada winning 4-3, with both sides missing important penalty kicks.

Canada opens the scoring as Venezuela tries to make up for lost time

The match was favored by Venezuela, who had shown themselves to be more efficient in the first phase of the Copa América, unlike Canada, but that was not what happened on the field. The first foul of the game was committed by Soteldo, after just 6 minutes. In the same minute, striker Shaffelburg had his shirt pulled and the Canadian players called for a penalty. The VAR was called, but since it was determined that the foul was outside the area, the referee did not award the penalty and the game continued.

In the 12th minute, Shaffelburg opened the scoring after exchanging passes with Jhonatan David and dedicated the ball to number 17, Buchanan, who was injured during the competition but was at the stadium to watch his national team's game. Venezuela was quick to react, and minutes later, forward Rondón had three chances to tie the match. Herrera was also one-on-one with Crépeau, but the ball didn't go in. Soteldo also had his chance, but shot over the goal.

On the offensive, the Canadian team took advantage of good chances in the following minutes to increase the score, especially in the 23rd minute, with Shaffelbeurg. Venezuela tried to react, but the plays were not good. Forward Eduard Bello took a free kick, which was stopped by the wall and midfielder Herrera also missed a shot in the 28th minute. On the Canadian side, Laryea only didn't score because he was late in the move, since the goal was free.

Shaffelburg was booked for re-entering the game without the referee's permission in the 35th minute after being fouled and requiring medical attention off the field. Venezuela did try to fight back in the final minutes with Herrera, who was offside, and Soteldo, who shot weakly into the hands of the Canadian goalkeeper.

_{Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the match 12 minutes into the first half (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@copaamerica)}

Venezuela reacts and draws with a beautiful goal from Rondón

The second half began with Soteldo inspired and winning a favorable corner for Venezuela less than two minutes into the game, but then he suffered a serious foul from defender Cornelius, who hit him with the sole of his boot. The Canadian player received a yellow card for the dangerous play.

The first change of the match happened only in the 14th minute, and was made by Fernando Batista, who took off Cásseres and put on striker Cádiz. Then it was Jesse Marsch's turn to take off the scorer of the first goal, Shaffleburg, and put on striker Millar, to give more agility to the attack.

With the clock ticking, Venezuela was desperate on the field. The scenario only changed in the 18th minute, and after a counterattack, Rondón received the ball and, without anyone marking him, shot from outside the area and chipped it. With Crépeau advanced and outside his area, the goalkeeper was unable to get there in time to defend the ball, which went into the Canadian goal without difficulty, reinforcing the idea that the Venezuelan team would score its goals in the second half in this edition.

A few minutes later, defender Cornelius was hit in the head by a ball while fighting for the ball with Cádiz and was on the ground for a few minutes, eventually receiving medical attention. Striker Oluwaseyi kept goalkeeper Romo alert on two occasions. The first, when he shot from a distance, without any danger, and shortly after, when he almost scored a great goal, just over 30 minutes into the match.

In the 39th minute, Rondón managed to get in front of the goalkeeper and shoot, but the shot was ruled offside, much to the player's disappointment. In the 40th minute, Romo saved a dangerous ball from Johnston, which resulted in a corner kick, which was poorly taken by Canada. With the atmosphere heating up on the field, in the 42nd minute, Ali Ahmed crossed the ball towards the goal, scaring the Venezuelan goalkeeper. The following minute, Koné also tried, but the ball went wide of the post. The last yellow card of regulation time went to Venezuelan full-back Aramburu in the 48th minute.

_{Rondón equalized for Venezuela with the most beautiful goal of the competition (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@copaamerica)}

Penalty shootout decided the game

With the game tied after regular time, the decision went to penalties. The first to take the penalty was Rondón, who converted for Venezuela. Then, Jhonatan David also scored his goal. Then, Herrera and Millar missed the opportunity to extend the lead, with the first shooting at the post and the second sending the ball wide.

Luck smiled on Venezuela again, with Rincón finding the back of the net, as did Bombito. The other round of penalties were missed by players Savarino, who hit the post, and Eustáquio, who had his goal saved by Romo.

Cádiz and Davies did their homework and scored for their teams, but Wilker Ángel was not so lucky and his shot was saved by Crépeau. The game was decided by Koné, who shot into the back of the net and qualified Canada for the semifinals, where they will face Argentina. The match is scheduled for July 9th, at 9 pm (Brasília time), in New Jersey.

Featured photo: Canadian players celebrate qualifying for the Copa América semi-finals (Reproduction/Instagram/@concacaf)