Canada preserved its second consecutive clean sheet and advanced to its first Copa America quarterfinal appearance with a 0-0 draw against 10-man Chile in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday night.
The tournament first-timers were gifted a numerical advantage for a second consecutive Group A match when Gabriel Suazo was dismissed in the 27th minute for his second bookable offense, both against Canada’s Richie Laryea.
And though Canada (1-1-1, 4 points) couldn’t turn the edge into a goal, it still finished comfortably in the second spot as Argentina (3-0-0, 9 points) eased to a 2-0 victory over Peru (0-2-1, 1 point) in the other group game in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“We knew coming into these games that it was not going to be easy,” Canada captain and Bayern Munich fullback Alphonso Davies told OneSoccer afterward. “We have to fight and we have to battle. And we have to do whatever we can to survive. And yeah, at times obviously we suffered. But we suffered together. And we got through it together.”
Canada will face the winner of Group B, which concludes Sunday night and is currently led by Venezuela.
It is the first CONCACAF nation to reach the next phase of the tournament despite playing only three competitive fixtures under new manager Jesse Marsch.
“It’s very special,” Davies told OneSoccer. “We’re a young side. We’re still learning (and) developing. And yeah, this is a good test for us. And hopefully we go on, fingers crossed, we can make it to the finals. But we know that’s a lot of work ahead of us.”
Chile (0-1-2, 2 points) exits the tournament after failing to score, continuing woes that have also seen them find only three goals through their first six CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. That doomed La Roja — who won this tournament in 2015 and 2016 — to their first group stage exit since 2004.
Their finale came without manager Ricardo Gareca, who was suspended for one match for his team’s role in time wasted at halftime of a 1-0 loss against Argentina on Tuesday.
“(We are) analyzing these three matches and trying to find solutions for these situations we faced,” Chile assistant Sergio Santin said through an interpreter. “We believe we have to keep on working hard, so that we can get the necessary results.”
Chile had the better chances while the numbers were even. Victor Davila came closest, firing a promising side volley just wide of the right post in the 21st minute.
But Suazo’s departure slanted the field in goalkeeper Gabriel Arias’ direction.
In the 38th minute, Jonathan David clattered into Arias while trying to lob a running half volley over the charging goalkeeper.
The striker required medical attention while his Canada teammates implored referee Wilmar Roldan to point to the penalty spot, but no call was coming.
In the 42nd, Arias sprung off his line again to smother Stephen Eustaquio’s chance from near the top of the penalty arc.
Chile offered more of a threat for the first half-hour of the second half, but rarely turned it into real danger on Maxime Crepeau’s goal, and eventually wore down in the tropical conditions.
Arias sprung from his line to deny Tajon Buchanan in the 83rd minute. Tani Oluwaseyi’s apparent stoppage-time winner for Canada was correctly ruled offside.
Chile was able to get forward in the dying moments, but could not turn either a late corner or a late long throw into a clear shot attempt.
–Field Level Media
