The chill of victory

Canadians keep their cool in the heat to seal first Copa America win

- JOE CALLAGHAN

History doesn't always come garlanded in gold or sealed with smiles and serenity.

The maiden victory of the Jesse Marsch era and Canada's first-ever Copa America triumph arrived Tuesday evening in Kansas City after a dogfight where toil trumped talent and technique. After Canada kept its head as Peruvians lost theirs in oppressive heat and after enough frustrations and doubts had been accrued before Jonathan David shook them all off with a goal which will have its place in the annals, even if none of us will rush back to rewatch the entire game it decided.

Progress to the knockout stage of this Copa America now sits tantalizingly in front of Marsch, captain Alphonso Davies and the rest for whom this breakthrough felt particularly overdue. A first major tournament win for a gifted generation who can maybe play a bit freer of that weight now.

David's lethally good finish, after Jacob Shaffelburg produced more of the great work we're coming to expect from him, arrived exactly 15 minutes after Miguel Araujo's red card and 16 minutes before the end. Peru could have been down to nine by then, a first-half head-butt inexplicably ignored by VAR. As it was even with the numerical advantage Marsch's side still had to count their stars they had Maxime Crépeau between their posts, the keeper super throughout.

"We talked about wanting to make a big statement, wanting to make history, and wanting to show we were ready for bigger challenges," said Marsch after his side had climbed temporarily at least into second place in Group A with Chile to come Saturday in its final group game.