Final Score: Canada 3-0 (4-0 agg.) Suriname
Goalscorers: David 23′, Shaffelburg 30′, 67′
Concacaf Nations League — Quarter-Final (Leg 2)

Canada are off to the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League semi-finals after a comprehensive 3-0 victory (4-0 on aggregate) over Suriname on Tuesday night at BMO Field.

A Jacob Shaffelburg brace, following an opener by Jonathan David in the 23rd minute which saw him stand alone as Canada’s all-time leading goalscorer, gave Canada the win. It was the first time the team has scored three goals in a match under Jesse Marsch.

Canada advance to face Mexico in the semi-finals on Thursday, Mar. 20 at SoFi Stadium in California. They do so as the top seed in the Concacaf Nations League final four, having finished with a +4 goal differential and six points against Suriname.

Coming into the match leading 1-0 on aggregate, Canada looked to close out the tie in a way they were unable to this time last year. Back on Nov. 21, 2023, Canada lost 3-2 in the home leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica, — a result which eliminated them from the competition on away goals.

Marsch made three changes to his starting eleven from Friday’s clash in Paramaribo: with Kamal Miller drawing in at centreback for Joel Waterman, Mathieu Choinière replacing Ismaël Koné in the midfield, and Cyle Larin in for Tani Oluwaseyi up top.

Back on home soil, Canada were quickly on the front foot, creating a number of chances through the first 15 minutes, particularly down the left flank. The combination of Richie Laryea and Shaffelburg did brilliantly to create space to run at the Suriname backline. They whipped in several threatening crosses from the byline — although none of them found their target.

It was one such cross in the 23rd minute that earned Canada a corner kick. Stephen Eustáquio played the ball short to Mathieu Choinière who whipped in a cross that found Cyle Larin at the back post. Larin’s header across goal bounced dangerously around the Suriname box, before an attempted clearance was blocked by Shaffelburg into the path of Kamal Miller who poked it to David.

From close range, it was cool as you like from the Iceman, as he calmly finished his 31st goal for Canada to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The goal was followed by a lengthy VAR review. Suriname animatedly protested that there had been a handball in the buildup, but it was ultimately given.

Canada added a second just seven minutes later. Moïse Bombito was first to a ball over the top, and caught the Suriname defensive line sleeping with a quick ball over the top to Shaffelburg, who had recognized the danger and moved centrally. Shaffelburg poked the ball past Etienne Vaessen, who had come well out of his net, and kicked the ball into the empty net to give Canada a 2-0 lead.

Suriname had a solid chance just before the half, as Sheraldo Becker danced his way into the box and looked to go across Dayne St. Clair with a left-footed strike. But Alistair Johnston, who was exceptional at right-back during the first half, slid in to deny his effort.

Canada looked to have added a third through Bombito, just before the half-time whistle on a cleverly taken free kick routine. This time, however, a VAR review ruled the goal out. Still, it was an incredibly encouraging half for a Canadian team that had both struggled to score finish chances and create them from set pieces during the first leg down in Suriname.

The early stages of the second half were a little bit more cagey, with eight fouls inside the first 15 minutes slowed the pace of the match.

Marsch made a double change in the 64th minute, bringing in Niko Sigur for just his second national team appearance to replace Johnston, and Koné was brought in for Choinière.

Canada made this their most prolific offensive performance under Marsch when Shaffelburg added his second of the game in the 67th minute. Ali Ahmed moved the ball down the right flank to Larin, who played a perfectly weighted cross through the Suriname box which the Canadian winger tapped past Vaessen to give Canada a 3-0 lead.

In the 72nd minute, 19-year-old Jamie Knight-Lebel made his senior national team debut, adding another exciting prospect into the Canadian central defender pool. After Miller’s strong showing in his 72 minutes on the pitch, and Waterman’s performance in the first leg, it was an excellent window for Canada’s central defensive depth. With mainstay Derek Cornelius missing through injury, they showed incredibly well against a Suriname team with several potentially lethal attacking weapons.

Canada continued to press for more goals, and in the 80th minute came inches from a fourth when Larin hit the post after being played in behind on a brilliant ball from David. The celebratory goal fireworks behind the net went off, creating a rather comical moment, but unfortunately for Larin, did not put him level with David for the all-time lead in Canada goals. Larin was replaced shortly thereafter by Theo Bair.

As time wound down, substitute Tajon Buchanan had a few great opportunities to add to Canada’s total, which would have certainly been the cherry on top of an outstanding Canadian performance.

Box Score

Lineups

Canada: St. Clair; Johnston (Sigur 64′), Miller (Knight-Lebel 72′), Bombito, Laryea; Ahmed (Buchanan 73′), Choinière (Koné 64′), Eustáquio, Shaffelburg (Hoilett 81′); David, Larin (Bair 81′)

Suriname: Vaessen; Van Geldersen, Abena, Pinas, Denswil, Haps (Turfkruier 90+2′); Van der Kust (Misidjan 46′), Malone, Lonwijk (Adipi 90+2′), Becker (Vente 75′); G. Vlijter (Conraad 46′)

Goals

23′ — Jonathan David (Canada)
30′ — Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada)
67′ — Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada) 

Discipline

28′ — Yellow: Etienne Vaessen (Suriname)

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Jacob Shaffelburg, Canada

A brace was a deserved prize for another outstanding night in a Canada shirt for Shaffelburg. From the opening whistle, he was a constant threat down the left flank, playing a role in all three Canada goals.

What’s Next?

Canada will now face Mexico in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nation’s League semi-final on Thursday, Mar. 20 at SoFi Stadium in California (7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET). The winner of that match will advance to the final on Sunday, Mar. 23, while the loser will play in the third-place match earlier that day.