Venezuela 1(3)-(4)1 Canada, Quarterfinal: Canadians Through To Maiden Copa America Semifinal

Ismael Kone sent Canada to their first Copa America semi-final as they overcame Venezuela 4-3 in a penalty shootout to edge a classic encounter. (Streaming | More Football News)

Jacob Shaffelburg opened the scoring for Canada, only for Salomon Rondon to net a stunning long-range equaliser to take the quarter-final the distance. 

With 32 shots shared between the two sides, penalties would decide who would face Argentina at the MetLife Stadium next week. 

The decisive miss came from Wilker Angel, with Kone's stuttering run up allowing him to coolly slot the ball beyond Rafael Romo to secure the victory. 

Despite the nerves of playing in their first-ever knockout fixture at the Copa America, it was Canada who would strike the decisive blow early on in Texas.

Having seen appeals for a penalty waved away moments earlier, Shaffelburg dusted himself down to open the scoring, squeezing home Jonathan David's cross at the near post in the 13th minute. 

Jesse Marsch's side had opportunities to double their advantage, as Shaffelburg saw his effort saved while David fluffed his lines with only Romo to beat as a pulsating first half came to a close. 

Canada's dominance continued after the break but Cyle Larin was unable to hit the target, and their wastefulness in front of goal was punished spectacularly. 

A long ball up front saw Rondon win a tussle with Moise Bombito, taking aim from just inside the Canada half to lob바카라 웹사이트Maxime Crepeau for a goal of the tournament contender.바카라 웹사이트

David continued to threaten for Canada, chipping the ball in behind for바카라 웹사이트Tani Oluwaseyi who could only find the roof of the net in the final chance of normal time.바카라 웹사이트

Both sides would miss two spot-kicks as the encounter reached sudden death, but바카라 웹사이트Angel saw his effort saved by바카라 웹사이트Crepeau, handing the responsibility over to Kone, who clinched a landmark victory for Marsch's side.바카라 웹사이트

Venezuela's young guns can be proud of their efforts

Fernando Batista can count his team unlucky following their gut-wrenching exit from the tournament, but his young squad can take pride in their performances at the tournament.바카라 웹사이트

Venezuela battled an onslaught of Canada pressure, but fought back with their own attacking talents, with Rondon's strike their fourth consecutive goal at the Copa America,바카라 웹사이트their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of five games in June 2015.바카라 웹사이트

However, hopes of reaching a first semi-final since 2011 were dashed.바카라 웹사이트

Nevertheless, Venezuela can leave the tournament with their heads held high, having equalled their highest goal tally (seven) in a single edition of the tournament.바카라 웹사이트

Canada through, but must improve in front of goal

Marsch said he wanted to build something special with Canada, and his side's run in the Copa America has been바카라 웹사이트nothing short of sensational.바카라 웹사이트

Canada started brightly through바카라 웹사이트Shaffelburg's early strike,바카라 웹사이트with all three of his international strikes coming in knockout matches. However, it should have been more.바카라 웹사이트

From their 16바카라 웹사이트shots on goal, only seven바카라 웹사이트were on target, with 12바카라 웹사이트of their efforts coming inside the box. Marsch's side underperformed their expected goals (xG) by 0.84, and had four total big chances compared to Venezuela's 0.바카라 웹사이트

Despite those underlying statistics, Canada will be hopeful of keeping their fairytale run in the competition alive against Argentina, who they lost to in the group stage of the competition.바카라 웹사이트