Jesse Marsch has led Canada to the Copa America quarter-finals and believes they can build something special ahead of the next World Cup.
Get ready for this match with our Venezuela vs. Canada prediction and preview.
Who won Copa America 2021?
Argentina
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Venezuela vs Canada: Match Preview
Jesse Marsch believes Canada can achieve “something special” as they build toward the 2026 World Cup, starting with their Copa America campaign.
Marsch’s team surprisingly advanced from Group A, finishing behind Argentina and eliminating Chile, who won back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016.
In their inaugural Copa America, Canada will now face Group B winners Venezuela for a spot in the last four. Les Rouges are the third team from outside CONMEBOL to reach the knockout stages in their first Copa America appearance, following Mexico (1993) and Honduras (2001).
Looking ahead to the next World Cup, which Canada will co-host with the United States and Mexico, Marsch is optimistic about their potential.
“The sky is the limit,” Marsch said in an interview with FOX Soccer NOW. Reflecting on their challenging pre-tournament friendlies against the Netherlands and France, he joked, “I was thinking, ‘Why did I take this job with those three opponents coming up?‘”
“I knew when I took the job that that the schedule was going to be very difficult, and by the way – put Peru and Chile in there as well – the first five opponents I knew were going to be very difficult.”
“But I thought that it would give us a chance to create really high standards for how we wanted to play and that these games would show the players that we need to uphold ourselves to very high standards. I felt that if we could execute, then we could have some success.”
“There’s real excitement in Canada about the team and the way we’ve played. That comes with, I think, a real hunger to keep this thing moving forward.”
Canada has performed better than their 2026 World Cup co-hosts, the USA, who were eliminated in the group stage.
“I would love to say I’m just focused on what we’re doing here in Canada, but obviously, I’m paying attention, as always, to the U.S. men’s national team and, like you, I’m sad,” Marsch added.
“I’m disappointed by the performances, by the lack of discipline. There’s a lot of things that I think we’ve tried to be about, about the game in the U.S., and we’ve always believed in this group of players.”
“I’ll tell you: I’m glad, I’m here, man. Because the people that I work with and the players that I work with, the things that we know that we can achieve together, the support that we have from inside the country, the support system for this entire national team is so positive, so I think it gives us a real chance to develop something and build something and be ready for a big tournament come 2026.”
Canada will face a tough challenge against Venezuela, who have lost only two of their last 10 matches played in the United States, including friendlies, winning six (D2). La Vinotinto have kept clean sheets in seven of those games (W5 D2), with only Colombia, Italy, and Ecuador managing to score against them.
Canada advanced despite scoring just one goal across their three Group A games. They are the fourth team to progress from the group stage in the Copa America with only one goal to their name, following Mexico in 2001, Uruguay in 2007, and Colombia in 2015.
That solitary goal came from Lille striker Jonathan David, who is Canada’s key attacker. If they are to make it to the last four, David will likely be crucial to their success.
When Venezuela trailed 1-0 to Ecuador late in the first half of their opening game, it seemed they were headed for another early exit.
Instead, an underdog story has emerged, with Venezuela winning all three group matches in this tournament for the first time.
The calming influence of Fernando Batista appears to be exactly what this team needed, as they have shown remarkable composure defensively, conceding just once in their last four matches across all competitions.
If La Vinotinto triumph in their upcoming encounter, they will advance to the semi-finals of this tournament for the first time since 2011.
Their previous two quarter-final appearances at the Copa America resulted in defeats to Argentina, losing 2-0 at this stage in 2019.
Since a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in June 2019, Venezuela are unbeaten in eight consecutive matches against CONCACAF opposition.
Fernando Batista’s team were flawless in the group stage, defeating Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica to top Group B.
One more goal will equal Venezuela’s highest scoring tally in a single edition of the tournament, with seven goals in both the 1967 and 2011 tournaments.
Rondón has netted two goals for Venezuela at this tournament.
Only three players have a better xG than Rondón’s 1.98 so far, and the 34-year-old has taken 13 shots, matching the total of the tournament’s leading scorer, Lautaro Martínez.
Additionally, Venezuela are unbeaten in their last four matches against Concacaf teams in this tournament (W3 D1).
Venezuela vs Canada: Head-to-head
- 0 Wins
- 2 Draws
Friday will mark only the third meeting between these teams, with the previous two matches ending in draws due to late equalizers by Canada.
Venezuela vs Canada: Recent Form
Venezuela: WWWDL
Canada: DWLDL
Venezuela vs Canada: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Venezuela: Team News
Venezuela will be without Darwin Machis, who received his second booking on matchday three. Nahuel Ferraresi and Miguel Navarro are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested against Jamaica to avoid further yellow cards.
Yeferson Soteldo is likely to replace Machis in midfield. Jefferson Savarino and Cristian Casseres are also vying for spots in the starting eleven as attacking midfielders.
Salomon Rondon, Venezuela’s all-time leading scorer, will look to add to his tally after netting his second goal of the tournament against Jamaica. Eduard Bello and Eric Ramirez, who both scored on matchday three, remain key attacking options for La Vinotinto.
Venezuela: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Romo
- Defenders: Aramburu, Ferraresi, Y. Osorio, Navarro
- Midfielders: Martinez, Herrera, Casseres
- Forwards: Bello, Soteldo, Rondon
Canada: Team News
Canada faces a major setback with Tajon Buchanan sidelined due to a broken tibia that required surgery. Ismael Kone, who recently signed with Ligue 1 side Marseille, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the final group match.
Jonathan David, who scored Canada’s sole goal in the group stage, remains a key player for the Canucks. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau aims to continue his excellent form, having recorded consecutive clean sheets.
Canada: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Crepeau
- Defenders: Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies
- Midfielders: Kone, Eustaquio, Ahmed
- Forwards: David, Laryea, Larin.
Venezuela vs Canada: Match Prediction
Venezuela has been one of the standout teams in the Copa America so far, entering the weekend clash with a three-game winning streak. They are also undefeated in their last five games against CONCACAF opposition and are looking forward to Friday’s match.
In contrast, Canada has won only two of their last seven games across all competitions. Their recent struggles in front of goal could lead to their exit from the tournament on Friday.
We predict a 1-0 victory for Venezuela.
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
The Argentina vs. Ecuador Copa America 2024 soccer game will be live-streamed on Fox and the Fox Sports app.
