World News Canada reach Copa America semi-finals for first time Blog

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Canada has reached the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time after a 4-3 penalty shootout win against Venezuela.

The teams tied 1-1 on Friday and couldn’t be separated after the first five penalties until Wilker Angel’s sudden-death penalty was saved by Maxime Crepeau.

Ismael Kone then converted the decisive penalty and put Canada through to the next round.

Canada faces Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday and has a chance to play in the final on July 14. The semifinal is a rematch of the tournament’s opening game, which defending champions Argentina won 2-0.

Canada, which scored just one goal in its three group matches, started with an uncharacteristic urgency and its pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Jacob Shaffelburg headed home a cross from Jonathan David.

Jesse Marsch’s side wasted several chances to extend their lead in the first half. Shaffelburg tested goalkeeper Rafael Romo from the edge of the box, while David fired a shot wide of the post after a one-on-one situation.

Venezuela pressed for a goal and had more possession, but were largely limited to speculative crosses and shots from distance. Salomon Rondon, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, was forced to make two saves from Canadian international Crepeau.

Canadian Cyle Larin shot over the bar from close range in the 52nd minute. Two minutes later, a rebound landed in the penalty area at the feet of Venezuelan Jose Martinez, but his attempt also went too high.

Venezuela finally equalised in the 64th minute through Rondon, who spotted Crepeau off the sidelines and produced a daring lob that sailed over the onrushing goalkeeper into the empty net.

It was the former Everton and Newcastle United striker’s 44th goal for Venezuela.

Canada responded well to the equaliser and in the 67th minute an attempt by substitute Liam Millar was blocked from a tight angle before Tani Oluwaseyi put two shots over the bar in the space of four minutes.

But neither team was able to score a winning goal in regular time, so the game went to penalty shootouts.

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