Ismael Kone scored in the 23rd minute for Canada in an international friendly against Venezuela on Tuesday to snap the team’s three-game goalless drought in international play.
Kone’s goal capped a strong effort in the opening half for Canada, as Les Rouges were the dominant side in the opening 20 minutes.
In the 23rd minute, Kone was on the receiving end of a poor clear attempt by the Venezuelan defence after Richie Laryea penetrated deep into the Venezuelan danger zone. Laryea’s attempt to cross was intercepted, but the clearance try found the foot of Kone at the edge of the penalty box, and Kone drilled the ball into the corner of the net for the goal.
It marked the first goal for Canada since their 1-0 victory over Wales in an international friendly on September 9.
Since that match, Canada had been blanked by Australia (1-0 on Oct. 10), Colombia (0-0 on Oct. 14) and Ecuador (0-0 on Nov. 13).
“Internally, there’s really no panic about it because we know we have goals in us. But if I were in the media looking at us, of course, I would make this a talking point,” head coach Jesse Marsch said earlier this week about Canada’s scoring issues.
“We haven’t scored a goal in a number of games now, but I think the performances have been really good... And if we can do that against every opponent, we give ourselves a chance to win.”
Canada is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Mexico and the United States of America, which begins on June 11, 2026.
