Canada and Peru play for first win in Copa America 2024

MIAMI – The 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America continues with Concacaf nation Canada meeting Peru in Group A on Tuesday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Canada lost 2-nil to defending champions Argentina in the opening match of the tournament last Thursday in Atlanta. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau stood out with seven saves.

Stephen Eustaquio had the best chances for The Reds with two shots on target. Alphonso DaviesCyle LarinLiam Millar, and Jacob Shaffelburg also generated attempts on goal against the reigning FIFA World Cup winners.

A goal would mark a first for Canada in its debut campaign at the Copa America. The Canucks are also looking to earn their first point and victory in the tournament. Jesse Marsch is also in search of his first win in an official match as the head coach of Canada.

After winning the 1939 and 1975 editions, Peru is vying for its third Copa America title. The Incas started their campaign with a nil-nil draw against Chile on Friday in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Pedro Gallese played in goal for Peru and kept his first clean sheet of the tournament. The Lima native has helped Peru to the semifinals in 2015, 2019, and 2021, finishing runners-up in the 2019 edition.

Gallese helped his club Orlando City SC qualify for and compete in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Other Peruvians on the current roster who have competed in the CCC include Andy PoloAlexander Callens, Anderson SantamariaWilder CartagenaLuis Advincula, and Edison Flores.

The Peru men’s national team is led by Uruguayan Jorge Fossati, who coached his home country to a third-place finish in the 2004 Copa America. He has won league titles in four South American countries, most recently leading Universitario de Deportes to the 2023 Liga 1 trophy in Peru.

Records of Canada’s debut in the CONMEBOL Copa America

  • Maxime Crépeau (CAN) is the 3rd Concacaf goalkeeper to concede 2 goals in his Copa América debut match, after Jorge Campos with Mexico against Colombia (2×1) in 1993 and Henry Enamorado with Honduras against Uruguay (2×2) in 2001.
  • Canada is the 1st Concacaf team to lose their Copa América debut match by a score of 2×0.
  • Jesse Marsch (USA) is the 2nd American coach to lose in his Copa América debut match, the first was Bob Bradley (USA) coaching the United States (4×1) against Argentina in 2007. The only American coach to win in his tournament debut match was Steve Sampson, (2×1) against Chile in 1995.

Canada vs. Peru

They will face each other for the first time in the Copa America and also in any official tournament matches.

The history records only 2 meetings, both friendlies. The first was in March 1988, ending 3-1 in favor of Canada with goals by Lyndon Hooper (61’), Lucio Ianiero (67’), and John Catliff (73’); Elvis Neyra scored for Peru. Another friendly was in September 2010, with a 2-0 win for Peru, with goals by José Carlos Fernández (68’) and Jean Tragodara (72’).

*According to Peruvian newspaper sources, the 1988 match might not be considered an international “A” match as the Peruvian team only had U19 players.

All-Time series: 2 matches

1 win for Canada

0 draws

1 win for Peru

3 goals for Canada

3 goals for Peru

 

copaamerica.com

Featured images: copaamerica.com

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