Liam Millar heard the questions about Canada’s goal-scoring troubles. The 27-year-old winger from Brampton, Ont., helped quiet those concerns early Saturday. Millar contributed to both of Jacob Shaffelburg’s first-half goals that lifted the Canadian men’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over Peru in its second friendly of the international break. “We started the game very well, we were very aggressive, had a lot of the ball,” Millar said pitch-side. “We always talk about trying to score more goals, and we got two goals quite early. “We took our chances much better today and I think it’s a real positive.” Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the 19th minute and doubled the lead in the 35th as Canada cruised to victory in front of a sellout crowd of 19,619 on a sunny, 15 C afternoon at Montreal’s Stade Saputo. Daniel Jebbison added an assist for the 30th-ranked Canadians, 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 No. 50 Peru 17-4, including a 3-0 advantage in shots on target, to improve to 3-1-0 all-time against the South Americans in a dominant outing. “We’re able to control matches and make teams look bad and make it look like they never have a chance in the match,” head coach Jesse Marsch said. “It’s a credit to the team and a credit to what we’re establishing here that we can manage that, because that’s a team that gave Mexico a very good match. “We made them look worse than they are because of how we perform.” Marsch believed Canada could have scored more goals Saturday. “Shaf had two really good goals. He reminded me he doesn’t score a lot with his head, so we were happy to see that,” he said. “I still think in reality, we should feel like we could have come away with even more. “We’ll keep working on things. We’ll keep trying to adjust. We’ll keep trying to capitalize on moments.” 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 when midfielder Nathan Saliba found Millar with a dangerous through ball in the first minute. Millar dribbled around the keeper but his shot was blocked by a defender. Shaffelburg broke through later in the half with a strike across goal after Jebbison redirected Millar’s cross to the edge of the six-yard box. The 26-year-old from Port Williams, N.S., added to his tally in the 35th minute. Shaffelburg 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. “It feels really good,” the Los Angeles FC winger said. “I haven’t scored at all this year, so to get two goals is unbelievable for my confidence right now.” Marsch appeared more than comfortable with the lead by the 62nd minute, when he substituted nine players at once in a full line change. The coach opted for a young starting 11, with 22-year-old goalkeeper Owen Goodman making his senior national team debut. Several 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’s not planning to retire from international soccer. “I still have the legs, I’m still able to perform at the level of the national team,” Piette said post-match. “The level and individual quality of each player here is getting higher and higher, the players play in big European clubs, players who perform very well also in MLS. “And to be able to compare myself a little bit to each training this week, but also in the match against a good team like Peru … Personally, I felt good." Up next The Canadians 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
