Canada captain Alphonso Davies banished memories of his penalty miss at the 2022 World Cup by confidently converting a spot-kick in a shootout victory over Venezuela in the Copa America quarter-finals on Friday.
In Canada’s 1-0 group stage defeat to Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar, Davies had a tame penalty saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and the North American side eventually exited the tournament with three losses.
On Friday, faced with the pressure of knowing that a miss would hand victory to opponents Venezuela, Davies stepped up to the spot and smashed Canada’s penultimate penalty into the top corner.
Canada fans cheer after winning a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match between Venezuela and Canada, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Venezuela then missed their next spot-kick and Ismael Kone buried the winning penalty to send Canada into the semi-finals.
“Obviously, I had flashbacks to the World Cup, but I did not let that get to me. I knew where I wanted to go before I walked up to the ball,” Davies told Canadian broadcaster TSN.
I had confidence in myself, my team had confidence in me and I picked my spot and put it there. I’m happy it went in the back of the net.”
Canada face a stern test in the semi-finals, coming up against an Argentina side that has already beaten them in this tournament.
Canada celebrates their win over Venezuela in a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Arlington, Texas,…
