07:34 PM
Colombia continues its unstoppable march towards the Copa América final. With a resounding 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, the team qualified early for the quarterfinals, proving that its determination and quality on the field leave no room for doubt.
The team led by Néstor Lorenzo was able to decipher Costa Rica’s defensive scheme thanks to the clever movements of Jhon Córdoba, who replaced Rafael Santos Borré in the starting lineup. It was precisely a penalty committed on Córdoba that opened the scoring, demonstrating his immediate impact on the game.
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Confidence growing
Beyond the favorable result, with goals from Luis Díaz, Dávinson Sánchez and Jhon Córdoba, the most notable thing is the growing level of confidence of the team. La Tricolor has assumed the favoritism in the best way, without the weight of expectations affecting them negatively, as many feared.
This team has also achieved an impressive record of 25 unbeaten matches, just two away from the historic record of Francisco “Pacho” Maturana’s team. This achievement highlights the strength and consistency of the current group.
Player consolidation
Players who were previously discussed, such as Dávinson Sánchez, are consolidating. Sánchez, currently the best-level defender on the team, has shown exceptional performance. Additionally, James Rodríguez has regained his form, providing assists and leadership, remembering the legendary player who took Colombia to great heights.
This resurgence has also spread to others in midfield, such as Richard Ríos and Jhon Arias, who have raised their level of play. Luis Díaz, for his part, continues to be a key piece with his ability to unbalance, allowing the national team to breathe when he has the ball.
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Mindset and strategy
What distinguishes this National Team is its offensive mentality and its resilience. They are not intimidated when the opponent opts for a physical, hand-to-hand game, a strength that is due to Néstor Lorenzo’s strategy.
With qualification assured, the next match against Brazil (Tuesday at 8:00 pm) is presented as another opportunity to demonstrate their ability and beat the five-time world champions.
Improvement areas
Despite the successes, there are areas that require improvement, such as the need to start matches more connected. This is something the coach will continue to work on perfecting.
This team has successfully completed the task of generational change and is insatiable in front of goal, as demonstrated by the 17 goals scored in the last 6 games. Although there is still a long way to go to reach the final, which is the objective, the giant steps they are taking not only bring them closer to this stage, but also prepare the ground for the next World Cup.
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The spirit of the Selection
The Colombian national team plays with joy and transmits that emotion to its fans. Today, it deserves all the applause for the football it is playing, a football that not only seeks results, but also delights those who watch it.
Relive the minute-by-minute of the match here:
The match in Phoenix is over! The Colombian National Team beat Costa Rica 3-0 in its second match of the 2024 Copa América.
Minute 85: In the last minutes of the match, the Colombian national team had possession of the ball. They began to manage the result in their favor with the changes they made.
Minute 75: Yaser Asprilla was close to scoring his first goal for the Colombian national team at the 2024 Copa América. He shot left-footed, but it went wide, close to the post. Meanwhile, coach Néstor Lorenzo took off Luis Díaz and Jhon Córdoba. In their place, he sent Rafael Santos Borré and Jhon Jader Durán onto the field.
Minute 70: changes in the Colombian national team. James Rodríguez and Jéfferson Lerma left. Yaser Asprilla and Kevin Castaño came in.
Minute 63: Gooooal from Colombia! Striker Jhon Córdoba scored the third goal of the match. The national team’s unbeaten record is extended to 25 matches.
Minute 61: Goal from Colombia! Central defender Dávinson Sánchez scored the second goal for the Creoles in the match with a header.
Minute 60: Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez was hit in the face by an opponent. He remained on the ground for a couple of minutes. He then returned to the game. He took a free kick off the far post of the goalkeeper. It almost ended in the second goal for the locals.
Minute 50: Colombia approached the Costa Rica goal with danger. Luis Díaz received a ball inside the area after a pass from Jhon Córdoba and, instead of kicking with his first intention, he decided to turn around for a left-footed kick. He couldn’t finish on goal.
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The second half of the duel between Colombia and Costa Rica has begun!
The second half is over in Phoenix! Colombia beat Costa Rica 1-0 with a penalty goal from Luis Díaz.
Minute 45: The Colombian team finished the first half of the match with almost complete control of the ball. According to official statistics, the local team had 70% of the ball possession, while Costa Rica had the remaining 30%.
Minute 40: Richard Ríos from Antioquia received the second yellow card from the Colombian National Team so far in the Copa América. The previous one was Dávinson Sánchez, who received it in the duel against Paraguay last Monday.
Minute 35: The Colombian National Team was close to expanding the score. In a free kick near the area the players made a laboratory play. Jhon Arias took the free kick. The ball landed near the far post. A midfielder put it into the area. Jhon Córdoba tried to head it. He failed to push her. The ball went over the line. He didn’t come in.
Minute 30: Goal for Colombia! Luis Díaz scored his first Copa América goal from the penalty spot. He has celebrated 13 times with the Colombian national team.
Minute 28: The central judge of the match whistled a penalty in favor of the Colombian National Team. The Costa Rica goalkeeper took down the Colombian striker Jhon Córdoba in an attacking play.
Minute 24: The match was stopped for a couple of minutes after Antioquia player Richard Ríos received a blow to the head and fell to the ground. However, it was quickly resumed. No medical attention was needed.
Minute 19: Colombia was close to opening the scoring. After a good association play, which began with an overflow of speed by Luis Díaz and ended with a shot by James Rodríguez that was saved by the goalkeeper, the Venezuelans created the clearest goal option so far in the game.
Minute 15: The Colombian team has dominated the ball so far in the match. Néstor Lorenzo’s team has 66% of the ball possession. The Costa Ricans, who did not come out to defend themselves, have the remaining 34%.
Minute 7: The match was stopped. Colombian footballer Johan Mojica received treatment from the Colombian national team’s medical team after being stepped on by a Costa Rican player. The locals are playing with one less player.
Minute 6: The Colombian National Team arrived for the first time with danger at the Costa Rica goal. After a center Richard Rios From the right wing, Luis Díaz headed into the area. The ball went wide.
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The game has started in Arizona!
The teams are already on the field of the University of Phoenix stadium to sing the anthems.
These are the headlines from Colombia:
Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Dávinson Sánchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica; Jéfferson Lerma, Richard Ríos; Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and Jhon Córdoba.
These are the headlines from Costa Rica:
Patrick Sequeira; Jeyland Mitchell, Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo; Haxzel Quirós, Brandon Aguilera, Orlando Galo, Lassiter; Madrigal, Zamora; Ugalde Arce.
