Portland Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau made another big-time save in second-half stoppage time for Canada to hold onto its lead, beating Peru 1-0 on Tuesday night in a Copa America match.
After his diving save in the 90th minute, Crépeau punched away a free kick in the 94th minute to record a clean sheet for the match. But it was Jonathan David’s goal in the 74th minute that gave Canada its edge for its first victory over a South American opponent in 24 years.
Canada got its first win in four matches under Jesse Marsch, the American hired as coach last month, and beat a South American team for the first time since a 2-0 victory over Colombia in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.
David’s goal, his 27th for Canada, ended the national team’s 391-minute scoreless streak. Twenty-six of his goals have come in competitive matches.
The game was paused in first-half stoppage time when an assistant referee running on the non-shaded part of the stadium collapsed and needed medical attention. Crepeau was seen immediately running over to the ref to tend to him before he was taken off the field on a stretcher. The ref had been running down the line on the non-shaded part of the stadium.
Canada's goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, his teammate Liam Millar, right, and referee Mario Escobar, of Guatemala, tend to assistant referee Humberto Panjoj after he fainted during a Copa America Group A soccer match in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, June 25, 2024.Ed Zurga/AP Photo
Canada (1-1), in its first Copa America, rebounded from an opening 2-0 loss to defending champion Argentina, and Peru began with a 0-0 draw against Chile. The Canadians close Group A on Saturday against Chile at Orlando, Florida, the same day Peru (0-1-1) faces Argentina at Miami Gardens, Florida. The top two teams advance to the quarterfinals.
Peru reached the semifinals in 2021 before losing to Brazil. It had failed to score in nine of its last 12 matches.
David scored after Cyle Larin made a long outlet pass to Shaffelburg, who crossed. David took two touches and beat goalkeeper Pedro Gallese from near the penalty spot, sending the ball in off the far post. David is two behind Larin, Canada’s career scoring leader.
-- Staff and wire reports