Canada Closes 2025 With Gritty 2-0 Win Over Venezuela
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By Kaus Pandey
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Summary:
- Ismaël Koné scored and was later sent off, ending Canada’s long scoring drought before a late Promise David goal sealed the 2-0 win.
- Coach Jesse Marsch said the team is progressing, praising their intensity while noting there’s still work to do.
- Canada posted its fifth clean sheet in six games.
Canada ended the year with a result it really needed, taking a 2-0 win over Venezuela in a heated friendly that saw both sides finish with 10 players.
While coach Jesse Marsch admits the performance was not perfect, it proved that his side is getting ready for the 2026 World Cup with something to build on.
Koné and David Scored
Ismaël Koné opened the scoring in the first half, finally breaking a long scoreless stretch for Canada.
His goal ended a 342-minute drought that stretched back to Derek Cornelius’ free-kick winner against Wales in early September.
Ismaël Koné breaks the ice for Canada! 🇨🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/RqMiIswLMa
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 19, 2025
Koné didn’t last the full match, though. He was sent off in the second half, shortly after Venezuela’s David Martinez earned a straight red for striking Richie Laryea. Substitute Promise David later added a second goal to seal the win.
The Canadians made their chances count, finishing the first half with a 5-2 edge in shots. Koné’s opener came after he drew a foul just inside the Venezuelan half. Laryea’s free kick took a couple of deflections before landing perfectly for Koné to guide home.
David’s goal in the 83rd minute put an end to a fast break started by Niko Sigur.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) November 19, 2025
PROMISE DAVID finishes a perfect low cross by Niko Sigur to give the CanMNT a 2-0 lead over Venezuela 🇻🇪
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer & TSN pic.twitter.com/vPTRCwtpkg
Venezuela pushed late and forced a big save from goalkeeper Max Crepeau, but Canada held firm.
“There’s More Work to Be Done.”
Coach Marsch commented on the real improvement he noticed.
We got two goals, but I do think that this team has more quality with the ball in it and more ability in the last third (of the field) to make more chances. But at the same time the thing that they always deliver is intensity and belief and aggressiveness. There’s more work to be done, but we’ve made a lot of progress, specifically in these last three months.
The numbers back him up, as the Canadians have posted five clean sheets in its last six games and outscored opponents 6-1 in that span.
Canada came into the night ranked 28th in the world and managed the match well despite Venezuela holding most of the ball.
Marsch shuffled his lineup, giving Alfie Jones his debut after the defender finally completed his citizenship process. Canada was missing several regulars through injury, including Alphonso Davies and Alistair Johnston, but handled the absences well.
Before kickoff, Wayne Gretzky stopped by the locker room. Marsch commented,
I don’t think there’s a better person to come in and speak to our team about being Canadian, about being united, about competing for the country. He was fantastic.
The World Cup has been draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C., followed by only two more international windows before the tournament which 13 games will be held in Canada kicks off on June 11.
