Canadian victory against Venezuela at Copa America Games ignites Maritime pride
A shot struck in the first half of the match between Canada and Venezuela in the Copa America Games on Friday set the tone for a historic competition.
“Watching the games, I was always like we need to score more and we did it last night! It was just a really great game [and] a real nail biter,” said Ben MacMillan, a fan of the sport who has been keeping up with every single match in the Copa America Games.
Canada’s national soccer team triumphed over Venezuela at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Nova Scotia’s Jacob Shaffelburg scoring the opening goal.
“It was amazing to have Jacob on that team. He’s come through such an unconventional pathway to the pros and it was just inspiring,” said Doug Raphael, who watched highlights of the game.
In the 64th minute, Venezuela scored a goal bringing the game to a tie. After that, the two sides traded shots, with a score of 3-3 by the end of play time, taking the game to penalty kicks.
Canada took the win after scoring, defeating Venezuela 4-3.
Soccer fan, Florent Herbinger, said he couldn’t believe it. “Canada did very well. They had a lot of scoring opportunities and it could have easily been more goals for them and I think the goalkeeper is quite good and was able to win it for them in the penalty shootout.”
Even those who have not been keeping up with the Copa America Games are thrilled.
“I think my interest is peaked,” said Dawn Duval.
Her partner, Robert Brennan, said he will certainly be tuning in to the semi-finals.
“I’m proud of a fellow Nova Scotian doing well on the world stages, especially someone from our community who is doing so well.”
For many soccer fans in the Maritime, this is proof that Canada has what it takes to compete with the best. “I was so ecstatic because Canada has been getting better and better for so many years so I feel like it is finally paying off,” said MacMillan.
Canada’s next game will be on Tuesday against the world champions, Argentina.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
NDP house leader laments 'agents of chaos' in precarious Parliament
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.