Venezuela defender Nahuel Ferraresi (2) clashes with Canada forward Tani Oluwaseyi (12) as Venezuela midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr. (8) pursues during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

By The Canadian Press

Kone scores, then sees red as Canada blanks Venezuela 2-0 in final match of 2025

Nov 18, 2025 | 8:29 PM

FORT LAUDERDALE — Canada heads into the World Cup year on the back of a win — and moving in the right direction, according to coach Jesse Marsch.

Ismael Kone scored a goal in the first half and saw red in the second as Canada closed out its 2025 schedule with a 2-0 win over Venezuela on Tuesday in an ill-tempered match that saw both teams finish with 10 men.

Substitute Promise David added a late goal as the Canadian men improved to 7-2-5 in 2025 with two of those draws turning into penalty shootout losses (against the Ivory Coast at the Canadian Shield Tournament, and Guatemala in the Gold Cup quarterfinal).

Kone’s goal ended a 342-minute Canadian drought dating back to Derek Cornelius’ highlight-reel free kick score in a 1-0 win over Wales on Sept. 9.

“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,” said Marsch. “But at the same time the thing that they always deliver is intensity and belief and aggressiveness.”

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“There’s more work to be done, but we’ve made a lot of progress, specifically in these last three months,” he added.

It was a fifth shutout in the last six games for Canada, which has outscored the opposition 6-1 over that (3-1-2) stretch.

Next up is the Dec. 5 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.

There are just two FIFA international windows — March 23-31 and June 1-9 — ahead of the June 11 kickoff of the World Cup. Marsch has said he hopes to hold a camp in January.

Canada, ranked 28th in the world, led 1-0 after a choppy first half before a small crowd at Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami. While No. 50 Venezuela had 62 per cent possession, it didn’t lead to much with Canada holding a 5-2 edge in shots (2-1 in shots on target) in the first 45 minutes.

Kone opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after winning a free kick just inside the Venezuelan half. Richie Laryea’s ensuing cross bounced off a defender to an unmarked Kone whose deflected shot beat Venezuela ‘keeper Jose Contreras for his fourth goal in 37 Canada appearances.

David capped off a counter attack in the 83rd minute, knocking home a Niko Sigur cross for his third Canada goal.

Venezuela was reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute when substitute David Martinez, a 19-year-old winger with Los Angeles FC, was shown a straight red for lashing out at Laryea after the two tangled on the ball.

American referee Rubiel Vazquez sent Kone off three minutes later for a high boot that caught Kevin Kelsy as the Canadian looked to bring down a high ball.

Venezuela threatened on a 68th-minute corner but Teo Quintero’s header went just wide. Jesus Ramirez forced a fine save from Canadian goalkeeper Max Crepeau and hit the goalpost in stoppage time.

In addition to the red cards, Vazquez issued seven yellow cards with five going to Canada.

Wayne Gretzky, who had a home close to the stadium, visited the Canadian dressing room before the match, shaking hands and speaking to the players. The hockey legend was presented with a Canada jersey with No. 99.

“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,” said Marsch. “He was fantastic.”

Marsch made four changes to his starting lineup.

Crepeau started in goal and English-born defender Alfie Jones, having finally managed to take his citizenship oath, made his Canada debut. The Middlesbrough centre back, whose Canadian connections come though his late Alberta-born grandmother, was joined in the backline by Cornelius.

Cornelius, who did not see action in Thursday’s scoreless draw against Ecuador in Toronto because of a knock, gave way to Joel Waterman in the 33rd minute.

Jones looked comfortable, stepping in to blunt a Venezuelan attack midway through the first half. The six-foot-three defender also looked to be a good target on set pieces.

Winger Jayden Nelson slotted in for the suspended Ali Ahmed, who has returned to the Vancouver Whitecaps after his red card against Ecuador.

The Canadians were missing the injured Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito, Alistair Johnston and Sam Adekugbe. Cyle Larin and Junior Hoilett were called into camp but were carrying knocks.

Venezuela defeated No. 25 Australia 1-0 in a friendly Friday in Houston. The win over the Socceroos snapped a four-game losing streak for Venezuela, which came into Tuesday’s game with a 3-6-0 record this year.

Venezuela failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup after finishing eighth in the 10-team South American qualifying competition at 4-8-6. The qualifying failure cost Venezuela coach Fernando Batista his job after 20 months at the helm. Fernando Aristeguieta is serving as interim coach.

Canada defeated Venezuela in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw, the last time they met in quarterfinal action at the 2024 Copa America.

The previous two meetings ended in draws in Venezuela — 1-1 in May 2010 in Merida and 2-2 in June 2007 in Maracaibo.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2025.

The Canadian Press