Colombia beats Costa Rica and is in the quarterfinals

First objective: Check. The Colombian National Team strolled through the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and that 3-0 over Costa Rica qualifies them for the quarterfinals of the Copa América USA 2024, one date before the end of the group stage. Calmness ahead of the duel against Brazil in which they will seek first place in Group D.

Two modifications in Néstor Lorenzo’s XI with respect to the team that beat Paraguay in the debut. Carlos Cuesta replaced the injured Jhon Lucumí at the back and Jhon Córdoba was the offensive reference instead of Rafael Santos Borré.

The match began with friction, disputes and cuts due to infractions, but that did not prevent the Tricolor from approaching the rival goal with danger. The first warning came with a cross from the right by Richard Ríos and an awkward and deviated header by Luis Díaz, who minutes later accelerated to the left and He put it in the middle for James Rodríguez to control and finish, forcing Patrick Sequeira to dive.

The struggle of Córdoba and the coldness of Díaz

Before the tie was broken in Glendale, Costa Rica’s first and only attempt in the initial stage took place. A corner kick, a short rebound and on the rebound Warren Madrigal shot wide. Later came a Long ball from Daniel Muñoz to Córdoba, who got behind Francisco Calvo and was brought down by Sequeira, who came out hurriedly and in bulk. Clear criminal. James took the ball and handed it to Lucho, who opened his right foot on the shot and put it in the corner. [31′]. Colombian celebration in Arizona.

Lorenzo’s team was able to continue through the dead ball with the same protagonist: Davinson Sánchez. First, a corner kick was left open in the box and the centre-back sent it over the crossbar. Then, a free kick from James hit the far post, which Díaz put in the middle and the Galatasaray defender missed it by centimetres.

Revenge for Davinson and reward for Córdoba

Colombia continued attacking in the second half and had a chance with Lucho, who made one too many in the area and had his shot blocked. But the second didn’t take long to arrive with the ball stopped: Corner kick by Jhon Arias and header by Davinson Sánchez, who had revenge in the 59th minute after his choices in the first part. Special dedication in the celebration by showing Lucumí’s shirt, who thanked that gesture from the stands of State Farm Stadium.

Costa Rica had not finished assimilating that second blow, when the knockout came. Lerma crossed the midfield and gave it to James, who first put the aerial pass with his right hand for the power of Córdoba, who started enabled, entered the area and took the right cross to leave Sequeira without options [62′]. Award for a fighter who always made rival defenders uncomfortable and won several duels thanks to his size.

Those who entered did not want to be left out of the party. First Kevin Castaño tried it with a shot into the hands of Sequeira and then Yaser Asprilla finished a counterattack with a finish at ground level that went next to the goalkeeper’s right hand post.

Whatever happens in the second round between Paraguay and Brazil, The National Team will close this second day at the top of Group D with 6 points out of 6 possible. On Tuesday, July 2, starting at 8:00 pm (Colombian time), Colombia will face the five-time world champion at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in search of first place in this area. Against Costa Rica it was another task accomplished. The dream of the second Cup is advancing at a steady pace.

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