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Canada Advance To Copa America Semis After Defeating Venezuela On Penalties

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Canada Advance To Copa America Semis After Defeating Venezuela On Penalties—-Canada claimed a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela on Friday to reach the Copa America semi-finals for the first time after an absorbing contest finished 1-1 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

With the teams all square after five attempts each in the shootout, Wilker Angel had his spot-kick saved by Maxime Crepeau and Ismael Kone buried the winning penalty to send Canada through.

“Emotions are running high, I’m so happy for everyone who is supporting us,” Crepeau, who made two saves in the shootout, told Fox Sports.

“It’s a lot of work and now we have the fruit of our hard work. This is amazing to be in the semi-finals of Copa America. I think everybody needs to realise this country and its footballers deserve respect.”

Canada, playing in their first Copa America, will face Argentina in New Jersey on Tuesday for a chance to play in the July 14 final.

The semi-final will be a rematch of the tournament’s opener, in which the defending champions Argentina claimed a 2-0 win.

Canada, who scored just one goal across their three group stage matches, began the match with uncharacteristic urgency.

Their pressure paid off in the 13th minute as Jacob Shaffelburg steered home a Jonathan David cross.

After scoring, Shaffelburg held up the jersey of teammate Tajon Buchanan, who suffered a broken leg in training this week.

Jesse Marsch’s side wasted several chances to extend their lead in the first half, with Shaffelburg testing goalkeeper Rafael Romo from the edge of the area.

While David sent an effort wide of the post after finding himself through one-on-one.

Venezuela pressed for a goal and had more possession, but were largely limited to speculative crosses and shots from range.

All-time leading goalscorer Salomon Rondon twice drawing saves from Crepeau.

Canada’s Cyle Larin fired over the bar from close range in the 52nd minute.

Two minutes later, a rebound fell at the feet of Venezuela’s Jose Martinez in the penalty area at the other end, but his effort also went high.

Venezuela finally found the equaliser in the 64th minute through Rondon, who spotted Canada’s Crepeau off his line and produced an audacious lob that sailed over the scrambling goalkeeper into the empty net.

It was the former Everton and Newcastle United striker’s 44th goal for Venezuela.

Canada responded well to the equaliser and substitute Liam Millar had an effort from a tight angle saved in the 67th minute before Tani Oluwaseyi sent two shots over the crossbar in the span of four minutes.

But neither side was able to find the winner in regulation time.

Venezuela’s exit comes after their perfect group stage campaign, in which they won all three matches.

Their performance at the Copa America bodes well for manager Fernando Batista’s primary aim of earning qualification for a first-ever World Cup.

“This is a long process,” Batista said, through an interpreter.

“We have a huge dream that we’re going for, all Venezuelans want to qualify for the World Cup. And the Copa America gave us a possibility of strengthening our squad.”

After the first six qualifying matches, Venezuela sit fourth in the race for six automatic berths from CONMEBOL for the 2026 World Cup.

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BREAKING: Declan Rice Fires Late Equaliser as Arsenal Hold Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena

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BREAKING: Declan Rice Fires Late Equaliser as Arsenal Hold Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena—-The England midfielder struck in the 82nd minute to earn Arsenal a dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich after Harry Kane had put the German champions ahead from the penalty spot.

Arsenal produced a spirited late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night, with Declan Rice scoring a crucial equaliser in the 82nd minute of their UEFA Champions League encounter.

The Gunners looked set to suffer their first defeat of the league phase after Harry Kane converted a second-half penalty to give Bayern the lead. However, Rice delivered a timely response to ensure Mikel Arteta’s side left Germany with a valuable point.

Eze Gives Arsenal the Lead

Arsenal suffered an early setback when Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury after approximately 10 minutes.

Eberechi Eze replaced the England winger and made an immediate impact, opening the scoring in the 25th minute after receiving a superb pass from Martin Ødegaard.

Eze drove forward before firing into the bottom corner. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review confirmed the effort, giving Arsenal a 1-0 advantage.

Bayern responded through Alphonso Davies, who levelled the contest in the 35th minute after a brilliant through ball from Kane.

Kane Puts Bayern Ahead

The contest remained finely balanced after the interval, with both goalkeepers making important saves to keep their teams in the game.

Bayern eventually took the lead in the 61st minute when Kane converted a penalty after Jurriën Timber handled the ball inside the area.

The former Tottenham striker calmly dispatched the spot kick, putting the hosts 2-1 ahead and leaving Arsenal facing the prospect of defeat.

Kane’s goal also extended his remarkable scoring run in the Champions League to 10 consecutive matches.

Rice Rescues a Point for Arsenal

With time running out, Arsenal found their breakthrough through a well-worked attacking move.

Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres combined in the build-up before Rice surged into the penalty area and fired a low finish beyond Manuel Neuer from an acute angle.

The 82nd-minute strike restored parity at 2-2 and silenced the home crowd, giving Arsenal renewed belief as they pushed for a late winner.

Despite further pressure from the visitors, neither side managed to find another goal, and the points were shared.

Arsenal Maintain Unbeaten Champions League Run

The draw extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Champions League league phase and took their tally to seven points from three matches, following victories over Napoli and Lille.

Bayern, meanwhile, were left frustrated after surrendering their lead late in the contest.

For Arsenal, Rice’s equaliser represented a significant moment in a demanding away fixture, while Eze’s contribution after replacing the injured Saka provided another positive from the encounter.

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BREAKING: Como Humble Manchester United 4-1 At Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, as Nico Paz Hits Brace in Champions League Rout

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BREAKING: Como Humble Manchester United 4-1 At Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, as Nico Paz Hits Brace in Champions League Rout—–Nico Paz scored twice and provided an assist as Champions League newcomers Como produced a stunning performance to dismantle Manchester United in Italy.

Como delivered a memorable European night on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, thrashing Manchester United 4–1 in the UEFA Champions League as Nico Paz inspired the Italian side to a commanding victory.

The Argentine midfielder scored twice and assisted another goal, helping Cesc Fàbregas’ team overwhelm Michael Carrick’s visitors at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

Manchester United struggled to contain Como’s attacking movement throughout the encounter, with the hosts establishing control early and extending their advantage after the break.

Nico Paz Strikes Early

Como needed just two minutes to take the lead through Paz, who collected a pass from Lucas da Cunha before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner.

The early goal gave the hosts momentum, while United struggled to establish a foothold in the contest.

Despite having opportunities to respond, the visitors failed to find an equaliser before halftime, allowing Como to carry their advantage into the break.

Paz Turns Provider as Como Extend Their Lead

Como doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half when Paz delivered a perfectly weighted through ball for Anastasios Douvikas.

The Greek forward broke through the United defence and finished past the advancing goalkeeper to make it 2–0 in the 49th minute.

Paz then produced another decisive moment eight minutes later. After capitalising on a misplaced pass from Carlos Baleba, the Argentine surged forward and finished confidently to complete his brace and put Como 3–0 ahead.

His performance left United facing an increasingly difficult task as the hosts continued to threaten.

Jacobo Ramón Adds the Fourth

Como added a fourth goal in the 76th minute through defender Jacobo Ramón.

Substitute Kaiki Bruno drove forward down the left before delivering a cross that Ramón headed beyond United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The goal capped an impressive attacking display from the home side and underlined the visitors’ defensive struggles.

Zirkzee Scores Late Consolation

Manchester United eventually found the net in stoppage time when Joshua Zirkzee converted a cross from Amad Diallo in the 90th minute, reducing the deficit to 4–1.

However, the late goal did little to change the outcome, as Como comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure an emphatic victory.

A Night to Remember for Como

The result marked a major European achievement for Como, whose Champions League campaign has brought the club onto one of football’s biggest stages.

For Paz, the performance was particularly memorable, with his two goals and assist making him the central figure in the victory.

Manchester United, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a difficult night in Italy after being outplayed by a Como side that combined clinical finishing with effective attacking football.

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