Colombia is the third team guaranteed to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa América. When facing Costa Rica at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Néstor Lorenzo’s team scored xxx and reached six points, leading Group D. Brazil is in second place and the Concacaf team is in third, both with one point, but with Brazil’s balance being more positive. In last place is Paraguay, with no points won. However, the round will still be completed with Brazil vs. Paraguay, at 10 pm (Brasília time), in Las Vegas.
The Colombians had control of ball possession and the search for spaces in attack, but they were faced with a closed Ticos defensive line. In a similar model, in fact, to what happened on the part of the Caribbean in the goalless draw against the Brazilian team, in the debut.
With so much pressure exerted by the Cafeteros, it was a mistake by the Costa Rican defense that led Colombia to take the lead in the United States. After a pass from the defense, goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira tried to block the ball and committed a penalty when he collided with Jhon Córdoba inside the area. Luis Díaz gave no chance to defend the shot by shooting into the left corner of Sequeira’s goal.
Before the end of the first half, the score could have been even higher if defender Davinson Sánchez had taken advantage of two excellent opportunities. The first, a shot near the penalty area that went too high. The second, receiving a pass from Luis Díaz where the ball went over his head and with the goal practically open.
Foto: Omar Vega/Getty Images
After the break, also due to the context, Costa Rica even tried to propose attacking actions and establish closer passing lines. However, it was the Cafeteros who knew how to take advantage of the opportunities and make their situation more comfortable in the game.
At 14, a corner kick had Sánchez (precisely the one who had missed two chances in the first half) testing hard, in Sequeira’s left corner. Three minutes later, Jhon Córdoba received a good pass from James Rodríguez and hit the Costa Rican goalkeeper high. 3-0, final score, and Colombia’s place in the quarter-finals of the Copa América guaranteed.
2024-06-28 22:53:20
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