Canada Makes Historic Copa America Quarter-Finals
Canada has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Copa America for the first time. The North American team secured their spot after a goalless draw with Chile at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Despite being reduced to ten men, Canada managed to hold off Chile, who were eliminated from the group stage for the first time since 2004.
Canada's captain, Alphonso Davies, a defender for Bayern Munich, expressed his pride in the team's achievement. 'We knew before these matches that it would not be easy,' Davies said. 'We have to fight with all our might. We have to do everything we can to continue.'
Chile, a two-time Copa America winner, finished third in Group A with just two points, while Canada ended in second place with four points. Argentina topped the group with nine points. Chile's elimination marks a significant disappointment, as they failed to score a single goal in the tournament, continuing their scoring drought from the World Cup qualifiers.
Controversial Refereeing Decisions
The match was marred by controversial refereeing decisions, which left the Chilean team and fans frustrated. Chile's Gabriel Suazo was sent off in the 27th minute after receiving a second yellow card for obstructing Canada's Richie Larrea. Chilean players and fans were further angered when Canadian defender Moise Bombito appeared to elbow Rodrigo Echeverría, but the incident was not reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez criticized the refereeing, saying, 'The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) must be more efficient and learn from Europe... Refereeing in this way makes you angry. A red card kills the entire match.'
The frustration was echoed by Chile's captain Claudio Bravo, who shared a video of the incident on social media, expressing disbelief at the lack of review. 'It is unbelievable that with the technology that exists today in the world of football, they can confuse you in this way,' Bravo said.
- The draw against Chile raised Canada's tally to four points in Group A, five points behind the leading Argentina national team, which had already secured qualification to the quarter-finals.
- Chile exited the tournament without scoring a single goal, prolonging the scoring drought it is suffering from, as it scored only three goals in the first six matches in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
- In light of its need to win and awaiting favorable results from the match between Argentina and Peru, Chile's arduous task became more difficult after Gabriel Suazo received the second yellow card in the 27th minute for obstructing Richie Larrea.
- Chilean players angrily protested the red card and criticized the refereeing after the match. Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez said: 'The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) must be more efficient and learn from Europe... Refereeing in this way makes you angry. A red card kills the entire match.'
- Chile was also angry after Canadian defender Moise Bombito appeared to elbow Rodrigo Echeverría in the fifth minute of the match, but the Video Assistant Referee did not review the incident. Captain Claudio Bravo, who is sidelined due to injury, shared a video of the incident on the X social media platform, saying: 'It is unbelievable that with the technology that exists today in the world of football, they can confuse you in this way.'
