MONTREAL — Jacob Shaffelburg’s first-half brace lifted the Canadian men’s soccer team past Peru 2-0 in its second friendly of the international break Saturday. Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the 19th minute and doubled the lead in the 35th as Canada cruised to victory before a sellout of 19,619 on a sunny, 15 C afternoon at Montreal’s Stade Saputo. Daniel Jebbison added an assist for the 30th-ranked Canadian men, who opened a new four-year World Cup cycle last week with a 1-0 win over No. 49 Chile in Toronto. Canada held 61 per cent possession and outshot the 50th-ranked Peruvians 17-4, including 3-0 on target. The Canadian men improved to 3-1-0 all-time against No. 50 Peru having also prevailed 1-0 last time out at the 2024 Copa América. An awkward rendition of O Canada — with the anthem singer appearing to forget the words — made for a strange start to the afternoon. The home side nevertheless quickly energized the crowd, with midfielder Nathan Saliba finding winger Liam Millar with a dangerous through ball in the first minute. Millar dribbled around the keeper but his shot was blocked by a defender. Star striker Jonathan David missed a golden opportunity in 17th minute, firing his shot wide from the penalty area after Jebbison’s centred pass. Shaffelburg broke through minutes later with a strike across goal after Jebbison redirected Millar’s cross to the edge of the six-yard box. The 26-year-old winger from Port Williams, N.S., added to his tally in the 35th minute. He headed home a Millar cross — that tipped off the fingers of Peru keeper Diego Romero — at the back post for his ninth goal with the national team. In one of Peru’s few chances, Gianluca Lapadula fired a left-footed shot from the right side of the box over the crossbar in the 57th minute, almost lifting the noisy contingent of white-clad Peruvian fans out of their seats. Canada coach Jesse Marsch appeared more than comfortable with the lead by the 62nd minute, when he substituted nine players at once in a full line change. Marsch opted for a young starting 11, with 22-year-old goalkeeper Owen Goodman making his senior national team debut. A long list of Canadian players were absent due to injury, including centre back Derek Cornelius, who dislocated his hip in training last week in Toronto. Fellow defenders Moïse Bombito and Alistair Johnston were also out, while captain Alphonso Davies was away on a honeymoon. World Cup goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau attended the game, but was left off the roster after the death of his father. Veteran striker Cyle Larin also didn’t play Saturday after tweaking his back in the weight room earlier in the week. PIETTE’S HOMECOMING Canada Soccer honoured longtime central midfielder and CF Montréal captain Samuel Piette with a ceremony in front of his hometown crowd before kickoff. Once a national-team mainstay, Piette came on to loud applause as a substitute in the 66th minute for his 70th appearance with the senior men’s side — and first since June 2024. The 31-year-old from Le Gardeur, Que., hoped it won’t be his last, saying he has no plans to retire from international soccer. UP NEXT The Canadian men conclude their three-match window Tuesday against the United States in St. Paul, Minn. They’ll return to action during November’s international break with a two-legged Nations League quarterfinal against an opponent to be determined. The second game is Nov. 16 in Toronto. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2026. Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
