The selection of Costa Rica could not work the miracle this Tuesday and move on to the quarterfinals of the Copa America, but he said goodbye to the tournament with his head held high, after win 2-1 against Paraguay in Austin and give themselves, at least, a few moments of hope in which the impossible seemed possible.
Headers from Francisco Calvo and 19-year-old Josimar Alcócer in the first seven minutes gave Costa Rica a chance to dream for a moment. In order to advance, they needed to win, Brazil’s defeat, and also had to make up for a six-goal difference.
The team led by Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro was unable to do so. The goal that gave Paraguay the final 1-2, scored by Ramón Sosa, ended their hopes of qualifying, but did not tarnish the great work of the Ticos. They have a young group and a highly experienced coach. Two years before the World Cup, they have shown that they have the arguments to be competitive.
Paraguay said goodbye to the Copa America with three defeats out of threeThe Albirroja fans will try to console themselves with the fact that their team will participate in the Paris Olympic Games.
A dream start
Alfaro’s team did what it could, and they had a dream start with of the goals in the first seven minutes. Was Calvo the first to break the tie at three to Heading a perfect cross from Joseph Mora from the left wing.
Against a Paraguay emotionally affected by its early elimination from the Copa America, Costa Rica attacked and increased the gap just four minutes later with a Great goal from Alcócer with a low shot from outside the area which the goalkeeper struck down. It was 2-0 for the Ticos in a festive atmosphere, but also one of high tension, with one eye always on the match in Santa Clara, where Brazil would take the lead shortly after with a great direct free kick by Raphinha.
Paraguay, like in the match against Brazil, had Enciso as its source of play. The young Brighton talent, who also aims to join the Albirroja team in the next Paris Games, had his team’s best chance with a powerful shot from outside the area that goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira managed to send to a corner.
The good news for Costa Rica came just seconds after the referee blew the final whistle in the first half. It was Daniel Muñoz’s goal that tied the game at the Levi’s Stadium on the stroke of half-time.
A proud farewell
The Ticos clung to the miracleThey started the second half with Colombia needing to complete the comeback and with a goal difference of four goals to recover. But the illusion did not last long.
Ten minutes into the second half, Ramón Sosa scored his first goal as an international with a wonderful curved right foot shot and the scoreboard read 1-2, once again placing a mountain between Costa Rica and the passage to the quarterfinals. The psychological blow was felt for Costa Rica, which after Paraguay’s goal lowered its position and focused on trying to defend its advantage in order to at least score its first victory in this Copa América.
And he did so thanks also to an extraordinary save by Keylor Navas’ heir, goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira, who denied Ángel Romero the equaliser on the goal line in the 94th minute.
Datasheet
2 – Costa Rica: Patrick Sequeira; Gerald Taylor, Jeyland Mitchell, Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo, Joseph Mora (Julio Cascate, m.88); Orlando Galo, Jefferson Brenes (Alejandro Bran, m.78); Warren Madrigal (Anthony, m.84), Josimar Alcocer (Álvaro Zamora, m.68), Joel Campbell (Brandon Aguilera, m.68). Selector: Gustavo Alfaro
1 – Paraguay: Rodrigo Morinigo; Gustavo Velazquez (Ivan Ramirez, d.74), Fabian Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Nestos Gimenez; Mathias Villasanti (Kaku, d.74), Damian Bobadilla (Derlis Gonzalez, d.84), Ramon Sosa; Miguel Almiron (Hernesto Caballero, d.46), Julio Enciso, Adam Bareiro (Angel Romero, d.46). Disconnector: Daniel Garnero
Goals: 1-0, m.3: Calvo; 2-0, m.7: Alcócer; 1-2, m.55: Sosa.
Referee: Leodán González (Uruguay). He showed yellow cards to Alcócer (m.16), Galo (m.82) and Contreras (m.85), from Costa Rica, and to Alderete (m.28), Almirón (m.34) and Sosa (m.48), from Paraguay.
incidences: Match corresponding to the third day of Group D of the Copa América played at the Q2 Stadium in Austin (Texas) before nearly 15,000 spectators.
2024-07-03 05:14:53
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