Even superstar Neymar, a guest in the stands, could not believe his eyes: South America’s football giant Brazil missed chance after chance in the 0-0 draw against Costa Rica and started the Copa América in the USA with disappointment. Colombia, on the other hand, lived up to its role as favorite and increased its series of unbeaten games since February 2022 to 24 (19 wins, five draws) with a 2-1 (2-0) win against Paraguay.
The Seleção had 19 shots on goal against the super defensive “Ticos”, but neither the two Champions League winners Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo nor the super talent Endrick, who came on as a late substitute and will be the duo’s teammate at Real Madrid next season, managed to get the ball into the net. A goal by Marquinhos (30th) was disallowed by millimetres for offside, and a shot by Lucas Paqueta hit the post (63rd).
All eyes on Messi
After the match in front of 67,158 spectators at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Brazil’s defense chief Marquinhos found a curious explanation for the lack of goals. “The pitch is smaller and makes attacking play more difficult,” explained the 30-year-old. At the Copa América, most of the games are played in football stadiums with pitches five meters less wide than usual in soccer. However, the FIFA standard is planned for the World Cup in two years at the same venue.
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In Houston, Colombia’s captain James Rodriguez left his mark on the game. The 32-year-old, who rarely showed off his skills at Bayern Munich between 2017 and 2019, set up goals for Daniel Munoz (32′) and Jefferson Lerma (42′) in the first half and initiated many of the “Cafeteros'” offensive moves. Paraguay, which lost an opening match for the first time in 17 Copa tournaments, only found a response through Julio Enciso (69′).
This Wednesday (midnight CEST live on DAZN), Peru and Canada will open the next round. One day after his 37th birthday, however, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who will face the then winners Chile with Argentina in a rematch of the 2015 and 2016 finals (3:00 CEST live on DAZN).
