Canada make their first appearance in the knock-out rounds at their first Copa America, but it may be experience in the competition that sees Venezuela take the win and the spot in the Semi-finals.
Salomon Rondon is likely to continue his scoring form from the Group stage against Canada, along with the likes of Eduard Bello who has also been in form for Venezuela.
However, it’s likely to be a feisty affair, with Darwin Machis and Jose Martinez liable to commit two fouls or pick up a yellow card. For Canada, Alistair Johnston is also likely to be leaving something on the Venezuela players.
FlashPicks prediction - Venezuela 2 - 0 Canada
Venezuela vs. Canada - Preview
Venezuela takes on Canada this Saturday in the first Quarter-final of the Copa America at the AT&T Stadium. Both sides had a positive Group stage and will be looking to book a spot in the Semi-finals.
Date: 06/07/2024
Kick-off time: 02:00 (BST)
Location: AT&T Stadium
The Quarter-finals see Venezuela and Canada both try and reach their first-ever Semi-final in the competition, where they’ll face either holders Argentina or Ecuador.
Venezuela finished top of Group B after three games. In those three games, Venezuela picked up three wins, finishing the group unbeaten and on nine points - five points above Ecuador and Mexico.
This will be Venezuela’s 20th appearance at the Copa America, and this appearance in the Quarter-finals is their first time getting out of the Group stage since 2019 and the fifth time overall.
Canada finished second in Group A. In three games, Canada picked up one win, one draw and one loss, which left them on four points, five points behind Argentina but two points ahead of Chile.
This is Canada's debut at the Copa America after being ineligible from 2004 to 2015 and from 2019 to 2021. In fact, the only other time they were eligible was the Centenario edition in the US, but they failed to qualify. However, they’ve managed to reach the knock-out rounds at their first time of asking.
Venezuela and Canada have met just twice in their histories, with the first meeting coming as recently as 2007 in an international friendly. Both of these games were international friendlies that ended in a draw.
Both of these draws saw both sides on the scoresheet, with a 2–2 draw back in 2007 and a 1–1 draw most recently in 2010.
Where to watch
Watch Venezuela vs. Canada and every 2024 Copa America match on FOX, FS1, and the Fox Sports App
Venezuela vs. Canada - Team News
Venezuela Team News
Leandro Cufre is likely to stick with his trusted 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with Rondon up front, supported by Machis, Telasco Segovia and Bello.
Canada Team News
Jesse Marsch is also likely to line up with a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with Cyle Larin leading the line backed up by Richie Laryea, Jonathan David and Jacob Shaffelburg.
Venezuela vs. Canada - Recent Form
In their last five games in all competitions, Venezuela have three wins, one draw and one loss.
In an international friendly back in March, Venezuela took on Italy. Mateo Retegui opened the scoring for Italy in the 40th minute, but Machis drew Venezuela level just before the half-time whistle. However, in the 80th minute, Retegui popped up with another goal to give Italy the 2–1 win.
The final international friendly before the Copa America saw Venezuela face Guatemala. Neither side could find the back of the net in a 0–0 draw.
In the first game of the Copa America Group stage, Venezuela took on Ecuador. Despite the early red card to Enner Valencia, Jeremy Sarmiento gave Ecuador the lead just before half-time. However, just after the hour mark Jhonder Cadiz equalised for Venezuela and ten minutes later, Bello found the back of the net to give Venezuela a 2–1 opening win.
The next time out in the Copa America Group stage saw Venezuela face Mexico. A penalty from Rondon in the 57th minute was the only goal of the game in the 1–0 win for Venezuela, despite Venezuela having just two shots on target and having just 38% of the possession.
The last time out for Venezuela was against Jamaica. After a goalless first half, Bello, Rondon and Eric Ramirez all scored to give Venezuela the 3–0 win, with Jamaica having just one shot on target.
In their last five games in all competitions, Canada have one win, two draws and two losses.
An international friendly saw Canada in Rotterdam to take on the Netherlands. Following a goalless first half, Memphis Depay, Jeremie Frimpong, Wout Weghorst and Virgil van Dijk all scored to give the Netherlands the 4–0 win, with Canada having just two shots on target.
Another international friendly saw Canada take on a European side. Canada failed to register a single shot on target against France and despite France having four shots on target, they couldn’t convert, and the game finished in a 0–0 draw.
The first game of the Copa America Group stage saw Canada take on holders Argentina. Julian Alvarez opened the scoring early in the second half, and Lautaro Martinez secured the 2–0 win for Argentina with his late goal.
Canada bounced back from their opening defeat against Peru. Following the red card to Peru’s Miguel Araujo on the hour mark, David found the back of the net to give Canada the 1–0 win, despite having just two shots on target.
The most recent outing for Canada was against Chile. Canada yet again were taking on a ten-man side, with Gabriel Suazo sent off for Chile in the 27th minute. However, this time Canada couldn’t convert any of their three shots on target as the game finished in a 0–0 draw.
Copa America - Group B
Pos
Club
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Venezuela
3
3
0
0
+5
9
2
Ecuador
3
1
1
1
+1
4
3
Mexico
3
1
1
1
0
4
Last updated 21/12/2024
Copa America - Group A
Pos
Club
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Argentina
3
3
0
0
+5
9
2
Canada
3
1
1
1
-1
4
3
Chile
3
0
2
1
-1
2
Last updated 21/12/2024
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Copa America - Group B 
