By Jorge Rincón |
Sports Editorial (EFE).- Colombia qualified this Friday for the quarterfinals of the Copa América with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on the second date of group D, which marked the relaunch of Brazil with a recital by Vinicius thanks to the 1-4 that eliminated Paraguay.
At State Farm in Glendale, Colomiba showed its credentials and extended its undefeated record to 25 games and ten consecutive wins while at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Brazil beat Albirroja despite a difficult start and a wasted penalty by Lucas Paquetá , which he later noted in the same way.
.1. Colombia already scores in the quarterfinals
Luis Díaz, Dávinson Sánchez and Jhon Córdoba sealed Colombia’s rout and qualification at the expense of Costa Rica, which was unable to replicate the defensive success it showed against Brazil.
Those led by Argentine Néstor Lorenzo added six points and qualified for the quarterfinals of group D, which on this day left Brazil second with four points, Costa Rica third with one and Paraguay empty-handed.
.2. James and his assistance service
Sao Paulo’s Colombian creative James Rodríguez completed three goal assists this Friday so far in this Copa América and leads that department.
He is followed by Uruguayan Nicolás De la Cruz with two assists and names like American Antonee Robinson, Ecuadorian Carlos Gruezo, Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg, Paraguayan Ramón Sosa and Argentine Lionel Messi, all with an assist to their name.
Rodríguez also reached the record of Carlos Valderrama, who managed to provide at least one assist in three different Copa Américas.
‘El Pibe’ achieved it in 1987, 1991 and 1995, and James in the 2016, 2019 and 2024 editions.
.3. The Copa America finals are coming
With victories in Group D, by Colombia and Brazil against Costa Rica and Paraguay, the second round of the first phase of the Copa América concluded this Friday, with 16 matches already played at the halfway point of the tournament.
Starting this Saturday, the eight teams that will qualify for the quarter-finals will be defined, with Argentina in Group A, Venezuela in Group B and Colombia in Group D already assured.
.4. Vinicius scores his first double
Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior scored the first double of the tournament against a Paraguayan defense that was struggling to control the talent of the forward born in São Gonçalo.
The Brazilian striker broke the balance in the 35th minute and after a serious defensive error in the last minute of added time to finish with the 3-0.
Vinicius thus rose to the top of the scoring charts alongside Uruguayans Darwin Núñez and Maximiliano Araujo, Argentine Lautaro Martínez and American Colarin Balogun.
.5. Scaloni and Gareca, out for a match in Copa America
On the last day of the second group date it was learned that the Argentina and Chile coaches were sanctioned by the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol).
Lionel Scaloni will therefore be unable to coach the Albiceleste against Peru this Saturday after being suspended for one match for his team’s delays in returning to the field in the second half of their previous two matches.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca received a similar punishment and will not be on the bench for the match against Canada, both in Group A.
