- Canada jumps to second place in Group A following their victory.
- Argentina and Chile play later tonight to finish the second matchday in Group A.
Highlights
-Both teams battled hard in the first half with neither team giving an inch.
- In the second half, Canada finally broke through thanks to a goal from striker Jonathan David, on his 50th appearance for the national team.
Match Summary
Canada and Peru kicked off at a sun-soaked Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Tuesday afternoon in what might have felt like a must-win match for both sides. While Peru picked up a point in their opening match against Chile, Canada went home empty handed against Argentina in the first match of the tournament.
The first half was characteristically tense, with both teams looking struggling to make much of an impact in the first 45 minutes. Peru had the ball in the back of the Canadian net thanks to a header from Gianluca Lapadula in the 34’ but he was ruled offside. Shortly before, Piero Quispe had a great chance on the counterattack, but his shot inside the box was blocked by Crépeau. Going into the break, both teams definitely knew the enormity of the next half in determining their chances to reach the knockout rounds.
The second half was equally tense, with Canada gaining more of the possession after Peru went down to 10 men in the 59’ minute. Jesse Marsch’s men continued to push for a goal as the game inched closer to its conclusion. On the other hand, the Peruvians became even more stuck in, while trying to hit on the counter. In the 73’, it was the Canadian’s instead who hit on the counter. Jacob Shaffelburg used his blistering pace to drive the ball forward and he found Jonathan David with a well placed cross, and the Canadian striker made no mistake in front of goal, giving his team the 1-0 lead. In the 88’, Tani Oluwaseyi had a wonderful chance to double the lead for Canada but Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a fantastic save to deny him and keep his team in the game. Then in the first minute of extra-time, it was Maxime Crepeau’s turn to make an incredible save, diving low to deny Christian Cueva the equalizer. Minutes later Crepeau made another massive save to deny Paolo Gurrero from a free kick. In the end, it was enough for Canada to see out the match, and leave Kansas City with all three points and their first ever win in the competition.
What’s next?
Canada rounds out Group A against Chile at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on June 29 while Peru finishes the Group Stage the same day in the same state at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens Florida against defending champions Argentina.
Lineups:
Canada: Crepeau; Davies, Cornelius, Bombito, Johnston; Millar, Eustaquio, Kone, Laryea; Larin, David
Used substitutes: Shaffelburg, Miller, Osorio, Buchanan, Oluwaseyi
Cards: Laryea (Yellow)
Coach: Jesse Marsch
Peru: Gallese; Araujo, Zambrano, Callens; Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Quispe, Lopez; Flores, Lapadula
Used substitutes: Santamario, Reyna, Guerrero, Carrillo, Cueva
Cards: Araujo (Red)
Coach: Jorge Fossati
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: Jonathan David
Referee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
Venue: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas (USA)
