The Canadian senior men’s soccer team dominate Suriname 3-0 (4-0 on aggregate) on Nov. 19 at BMO Field, advancing to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal and booking their ticket to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.
Jonathan David buried the opener for Canada while Jacob Shaffelburg scored a brace, as the Canadian attack was flying from the opening kickoff.
“Complete performance,” said David in the post-match media availability. “Offensively [we were] very strong, creating a lot of chances. Defensively, very good.”
David made no mistake capitalizing on his goal-scoring chance in the 23rd minute, burying a left foot strike after the Canadian corner rattled around in the box before finding the Canadian forward. The 24-year-old now leads all Canadian men with 31 international goals as he continues his impressive run of form, scoring 13 goals in 19 games with Lille in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season.
“He’s one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now,” said Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch after the match. “He seems to score every match. He’s a complete player. I don’t know if he has any weaknesses.”
Schaffelburg doubled the Canadian lead in the 30th minute, his first of two in the game, continuing his impressive goal-scoring run with Canada, scoring five of his six international goals this year.
The Nova Scotia native, dubbed “Maritime Messi,” used his speed to dance around the Surinamese keeper who overplayed the ball, leaving a wide-open net for the 24-year-old winger to score Canada’s second of the night.
Schaffelburg’s pace was on display once again in the second half, joining the counterattack in the 67th minute, knocking in Cyle Larin’s cross for Canada’s third goal of the game and solidifying a near-perfect performance.
The Canadians controlled 55 per cent of the possession, dominating the first half with 64 per cent of the ball, outshooting Suriname 12-4 with four shots on target compared to one against.
Canada ends 2024 on a high note, improving to 5-3-5 since Marsch took over as the leader of the men’s program in May, which includes a fourth-place finish at Copa America and reaching an all-time best ranking of 31st in the world.
Now the focus shifts towards the Nations League semis and Gold Cup in 2025, as the quest for Canada’s first trophy since winning the 2000 Gold Cup continues.
The Canadians will face Mexico in the Nations League semifinal on March 20 in Los Angeles, after the Mexicans squeaked into the semis with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Honduras, which included three second half goals in their home leg.
The last time Canada and Mexico met was a scoreless draw in September’s friendly, while Canada beat Mexico 2-1 in their most recent competitive match, a World Cup qualifying game in Edmonton in November 2021.
In the other semifinal, the United States battles Panama for a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League Final, which will take place on March 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
For more information on the Canadian senior men’s soccer team, visit canadasoccer.com.