Colombia secured its qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa América after beating Costa Rica 3-0 in a heated clash played this Friday, June 28 in Glendale, Arizona. The victory not only extended the Colombian team’s impressive 25-match unbeaten streak, but also left them in a prime position to close the group stage as leaders of Group D, with a decisive match against Brazil next Tuesday.
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Those led by Nestor Lorenzo They came into the match with high morale after beating Paraguay in their debut, while Costa Rica, under the direction of Gustavo Alfaro, had surprised the football world with a goalless draw against Brazil. The Colombian coach made some adjustments to his lineup, incorporating defender Carlos Cuesta and forward John Cordoba, while the Ticos opted for a more offensive strategy with the inclusion of young forward Warren Madrigal.
From the first minutes, Colombia showed why they are one of the tournament’s favourites, taking control of the ball and creating danger especially on the wings, thanks to the runs of Luis Díaz and Johan Mojica. However, the precision of the final pass failed, preventing Córdoba from finding himself one-on-one with the Costa Rican goalkeeper. Patrick Sequeira. Costa Rica, for its part, was defensively organized and played far from the goal guarded by Camilo Vargas, prioritizing containment and looking for sporadic counterattacks.
The first great scoring opportunity for Colombia came in the 20th minute. A high-speed overflow by Luis Díaz ended in a cross that found James Rodríguez on the edge of the area, but the midfielder’s shot was masterfully deflected by Sequeira. Seven minutes later, a penalty changed the course of the game. Sequeira overwhelmed John Cordoba inside the area and the referee did not hesitate to signal the foul. Luis Díaz took responsibility from eleven meters and with a powerful shot, made it 1-0 in favor of the tricolor.
With the advantage on the scoreboard, Colombia did not slow down. First, a high shot by Córdoba at minute 33 and then, a laboratory play that Davinson Sanchez The Colombians were unable to score in the 37th minute, but kept the Colombians close to increasing their lead. Costa Rica, aware of their inferiority in the first half, opted not to take any risks and wait until halftime to re-evaluate their strategy.
The second time
In the second half, Alfaro tried to give his team a new look with the entry of Joel Campbell, while Lorenzo replaced the reprimanded player. Richard Rios by the experienced Matheus Uribe. The game became more contested in the midfield, with few clear opportunities for both teams. At minute 52, Colombia had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 after an overflow by Córdoba that enabled Díaz, but he exceeded his individual plays and lost the opportunity.
Calmness for Colombia came in the 58th minute. A perfectly executed corner kick by Jhon Arias was headed with precision by Davinson Sanchez, making the score 2-0. Just four minutes later, the final 3-0 came thanks to a brilliant assist from James Rodríguez that left John Cordoba hand in hand with Sequeira. Córdoba did not waste advantage and with a powerful shot sealed the match.
With a comfortable advantage, Colombia slowed down the pace of the match and dedicated itself to controlling possession of the ball, avoiding unnecessary wear and tear. However, at minute 77, the young Yaser Asprillawho came on for James Rodriguez, came close to scoring the fourth goal with a shot that grazed the post. Costa Rica, resigned, waited until the end of the match to avoid a bigger defeat.
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With this resounding victory, Colombia secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa América, adding 6 points in two games. Now, they prepare to face Brazil in a duel that will determine the leader of Group D. For its part, Costa Rica will have to look for a miracle on the last date against Paraguay. to keep their hopes of qualification alive
