- Canada qualifies for the Quarterfinals in their first ever appearance at CONMEBOL Copa América™ with a 0-0 draw with Chile, who is out of contention.
- Peru was also eliminated following their 2-0 loss to Argentina.
Highlights
- Victor Davila took a cross to the chest in the Canada penalty box and then played it down and then tried an acrobatic scissor kick and went just wide to the right, nearly giving Chile the lead.
- Minutes later Davila took another chance on a half volley that rocketed past the goal, this time to the left
- Chile went down with 10 men in the 26' after Suazo received his second yellow card.
Match recap
As the sun set behind Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Saturday night, Chile and Canada knew this could be their last match in this year’s edition of CONMEBOL Copa América™. While Canada could likely still qualify for the knockout rounds with a draw, Chile needed to leave Central Florida with all three points to extend their golden generations run one more game.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with few clear cut chances. Chilean forward Victor Davila looked the most likely to score early on. In the 21’, Davila positioned himself in Canada’s penalty box, and was in great position to receive a cross from Gabriel Suazo. When the pass came in, he took it on his chest and then attempted an acrobatic half-volley that narrowly missed the Canadians goal, going just wide right. Minutes later, Davila took another half-volley from the top of the box that this time went wide to the left.
After half a hour of play, Canada would begin to hold on to more of the possession while Chile switched their strategy to just trying to hit the Concacaf team on the counter. After 45 minutes, the match was still locked at 0-0.
In the second half, it was Chile who looked likelier to score as play resumed. La Roja fought tenaciously, while ever with a man advantage following Suazo's dismissal during the first half, Canada struggled to get control of the ball.
Deep into the second half, Canada began to become more dominant, especially around the 80’. Substitute Tajon Buchanan brought an electric spark to his side and forced a magnificent save from Gabriel Arias. His inclusion helped turn the tide back in the Canadian’s favor and see out the draw. Chile at the very end piled on the pressure, but Canada secured the victory, one of the biggest in their country’s history.
It was a historic night for Canada, they became only the third CONMEBOL Copa América™ invitee to qualify for the knockout rounds in their first appearance. Jesse Marsch’s men certainly worked hard for it. Their eyes will be glued to the TV tomorrow to see who between Venezuela, Ecuador or Mexico will be the team they face in their first ever CONMEBOL Copa América™ Quarterfinal.
What’s next?
Canada will play either Venezuela, Mexico or Ecuador at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in the next round, whoever between the three finishes top of Group B while the Chile bids farewell to the tournament.
Lineups and info
Canada: Maxime Crepeau; Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea; Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osario, Jacob Schaffelburg; Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.
Used substitutes: Miller, Buchanan, Oluwaseyi, Miller
Cards: Bombito (yellow), Davies (yellow), Johnston (yellow), Miller (yellow), Oluwaseyi (yellow)
Coach: Jesse Marsch
Chile: Gabriel Arias; Mauricio Isla, Igor Lichnovsky, Guillermo Maripán, Gabriel Suazo; Marcelino Núñez, Rodrigo Echeverría; Víctor Dávila, Alexis Sánchez, Darío Osorio; Eduardo Vargas.
Used substitutes: Galdames, Bolados, Pulgar, Diaz, Perez
Cards: Suazo (red following two yellow cards)
Coach: Ricardo Gareca
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: Alexis Sánchez (Chile)
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (USA)
