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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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Chelsea Explore Surprise Move for Brighton Veteran Danny Welbeck

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Chelsea Explore Surprise Move for Brighton Veteran Danny Welbeck—-The Blues are considering a surprise move for Brighton & Hove Albion veteran Danny Welbeck, with Xabi Alonso keen to add leadership and Premier League experience to his youthful squad.

Chelsea are exploring a shock move for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck as manager Xabi Alonso looks to add experience and leadership to his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season. The interest is at an exploratory stage, with Chelsea assessing the conditions of a potential deal for the 35-year-old England international.

Welbeck has just one year remaining on his contract at Brighton after triggering a one-year extension earlier this year. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward enjoyed one of the most productive campaigns of his career last season, scoring 13 Premier League goals and finishing among the highest-scoring English strikers in the division. His consistent performances reignited calls for an England recall and have now attracted interest from Stamford Bridge.

Despite Chelsea’s heavy investment in young attacking talent in recent transfer windows, Alonso is understood to believe the squad would benefit from the presence of an experienced forward capable of mentoring younger players while contributing on the pitch. The Spaniard reportedly views Welbeck’s professionalism, versatility and leadership as valuable qualities that could complement Chelsea’s youthful core.

Chelsea have already strengthened their squad significantly this summer but remain active in the market as they seek the right balance between youth and experience. Reports suggest the club could also sanction departures in attack before the transfer window closes, with Welbeck emerging as an unexpected but serious option to bolster the frontline.

Brighton are aware of Chelsea’s interest but have yet to receive a formal offer. The Seagulls value Welbeck highly for both his goals and influence in the dressing room, meaning any negotiations are expected to depend on Chelsea presenting an attractive proposal. With only 12 months left on his contract, however, Brighton could consider a sale if the right bid arrives.

While discussions remain in the early stages, Chelsea’s interest signals a possible shift in transfer strategy under Alonso, who appears determined to blend elite young talent with proven Premier League experience as the Blues aim to challenge for major honours in the 2026–27 campaign.

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Aston Villa Complete Alejandro Garnacho Signing from Chelsea on Season-Long Loan with Mandatory Buy Clause

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Aston Villa Complete Alejandro Garnacho Signing from Chelsea on Season-Long Loan with Mandatory Buy Clause—-Unai Emery has landed one of his top transfer targets after Aston Villa reached an agreement with Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho to join on a season-long loan, with a conditional obligation to make the move permanent.

Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho on a season-long loan, with a buy clause that will become mandatory if certain conditions are met. The move is expected to be finalized after the 22-year-old completes the remaining formalities following his medical in Birmingham.

The deal represents a significant show of faith from Villa manager Unai Emery, who has long admired Garnacho and had attempted to sign the winger before his move from Manchester United to Chelsea last summer. Emery is understood to have personally pushed for the transfer, believing he can help the Argentine rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier League’s brightest young talents.

Although structured initially as a loan until the end of the 2026-27 season, the agreement includes a conditional obligation to buy. The exact conditions have not been disclosed publicly, but reports indicate they are linked to performance or appearance targets and are widely expected to be met. Garnacho has already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract that will take effect once the permanent transfer is triggered.

Garnacho’s departure comes just one year after Chelsea signed him from Manchester United on a long-term contract. Despite arriving at Stamford Bridge with high expectations, the winger struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, managing only limited league starts as competition for places intensified under new manager Xabi Alonso. Chelsea’s recent club-record £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers further reduced Garnacho’s prospects of regular first-team football, making a move away increasingly likely.

For Aston Villa, the signing is another statement of intent as the club prepares for a campaign that includes UEFA Champions League football. Emery has built a reputation for revitalizing players whose careers have stalled, and Villa believe Garnacho’s pace, direct running and attacking flair can add a new dimension to their frontline. Club officials are confident the Argentine international still possesses the potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s top wingers under Emery’s guidance.

The transfer also continues a busy summer of business between Aston Villa and Chelsea. It follows Chelsea’s acquisition of Morgan Rogers in a British-record £117 million deal, with Garnacho now heading in the opposite direction as both clubs reshape their squads ahead of the new season. While the financial details of the future permanent transfer remain undisclosed, all parties are confident the move will become permanent once the agreed conditions are fulfilled.

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