Copa América | Twilight breaks, Canada advances to the semis!

Frantic races. Spectacular play. Chaos, missed chances, goals. And finally, a penalty shootout full of drama that saw Canada earn its spot in the Copa América semi-finals.

No, really, it was all there in this quarter against Venezuela in Arlington, Texas. Maxime Crépeau, after his mistake on the Venezuelans’ equalizing goal, showed that his nerves were made of adamantium by blocking two penalties.

“Emotions are still high!” the Quebec goalie told TSN after the game. […] Everyone has to realize that this country, and its players, deserve respect. People say, ‘Oh, those Canadians…’ Well, those Canadians are semi-finalists.”

The height of joy for Quebecers? Moïse Bombito, who had been the source of the blunder that allowed Venezuela to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute.^escored the first penalty shot of his professional career. And who else but Ismaël Koné, in the sudden-death shootout, to make the final shot, very smoothly, and carry Canada into the semi-finals.

“You see the smile on my face?” Koné replied to journalist Matthew Scianitti. “That’s what it means to play for my brothers.” […] This brotherhood means everything to me. We still have a long way to go, and we want to show the world what we are capable of doing.”

The Reds will meet Lionel Messi’s Argentina next Tuesday evening in New Jersey.

Shaffelburg, man of the match

From the start of this Venezuela-Canada, the contrast with the 120 soporific minutes played by France and Portugal, a few hours earlier, was striking. The intensity was at its peak at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.

This pace was dictated by Jesse Marsch’s men. The coach has always been known for his game based on high pressure on the field, giving rise to turnovers on the part of his opponents and, therefore, counter-attacks that he wants to be quick. The Canadian performance, particularly in the first period, was in this image.

And within those parameters, Jacob Shaffelburg’s star has never shone brighter than it did Friday night. The Maritime Messi – not our nickname – was all guns blazing down his left wing.

At 13^e minute, Alistair Johnston quickly put the ball out of touch. Jonathan David grabbed it, moved into the box, and then served the ball to Shaffelburg.

The Nova Scotian couldn’t help but score from the mouth. The winger, who plays professional football in Nashville, celebrated the 1-0 goal by reaching for the jersey of teammate Tajon Buchanan, who was injured in practice this week. He held it up in his arms, in honour of the player who was watching the game from a box in the otherwise cheering Venezuelans’ stadium throughout the match.

“It’s a simple play, a throw-in,” Johnston analyzed, all smiles, with TSN. “But who comes to the far post? Our winger who plays wide. He’s a special player, and I’m really happy for him!”

Shaffelburg continued to be dangerous throughout the period. But unfortunately, Canada’s many chances went the way they had most of the time in this tournament: that is, away from the back of the net. There was Cyle Larin’s chance, from distance, moments before the goal. Shaffelburg’s chance, again, proved to us just how much room there is to operate for the Reds.

Then that of Jonathan David, at 26^e minute, alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper on the counterattack, after a perfect pass from the Nova Scotian striker. It could have easily been 3-0 for Canada at that point. And maybe even 4-0, if Larin had been able to get his foot on that perfect pass from Laryea in the 30th^e.

“The last two games, people are going to say we should have scored more goals,” Jesse Marsch agreed at a press conference. “And the truth is we should have scored more. But they’re still two big performances against very good teams.”

“You can see this team is growing,” he added. “We have a huge task ahead of us in the semi-final against the best team in the world. We’re excited, but not satisfied.”

The calm of Koné

Venezuela had its chances, too. Especially after a certain drop in form by the Canadians.

This rise in power of the crowd favourites was confirmed in the second period. And the lack of Canadian opportunism cost them dearly: in the 64th^eSalomón Rondón took advantage of a misreading by Bombito on a lobbed pass backwards. Venezuela’s greatest scorer decided to play it smart by sending a long, very long ball over a Crépeau who had come out far from his box… which found its way perfectly into the Canadian goal.

The hostilities continued at a breathless level until the final whistle.

In this Copa, no extra time, we go to penalties directly. The Venezuelans thought they had taken the upper hand by succeeding in two of their first three shots… before Bombito scored despite the beam of light in his face, then Crépeau won on two of the last three shots.

All that was missing was a shot from Koné, with his face like ice, to confirm Canada’s long-awaited arrival on the international football scene. What composure for the new 22-year-old Marseillais.

“The best way to get that respect is by winning games,” Marsch said. “We deserved to win this game, even if it’s a draw! Penalties are 50-50. We were the better team.”