Colombia did not forgive Costa Rica: it beat them 3-0 and qualified for the quarterfinals :: Olé

Costa Rica lasted half an hour to hold on. After having surprised and embittered Brazil with a 0-0 draw in the debut, Colombia did not forgive Gustavo Alfaro’s team, beating them 3-0 and thus ensuring their qualification to the quarterfinals Copa America final with one date remaining.

At the beginning with Colombian dominance without being overwhelming, it was an error by the Ticos that opened the match. Goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira committed an incredible penalty by taking Jhon Córdoba. Precisely him, who had just been the figure against the Verdeamarela and made a great save against James Rodríguez. Luis Díaz executed it barbarically and thus began the Colombian celebration in the city of Glendale, Arizona. That 1-0 gave confidence to the yellows and discouraged the Central Americans who did not know how to react. There was no plan B: they never kicked the goal.

That’s why, In the second half, Colombia accelerated and finished it off. This team that led by Argentine Néstor Lorenzo, he reached 25 games without losing (20 wins) and he found a way of playing in which he feels comfortable and has variations to hurt. From the overflows of Díaz or Jhon Arias, the quality and possession of James or the power of the nine on duty: this time he played Jhon Durán replaced Santos Borré and the Russian Krasnodar striker scored the third goal. But, in addition, another of the weapons is the stopped ball: From a corner came Dávinson Sánchez’s impeccable header, the partial 2-0, as well as other occasions.

And what to say about James. The 10 and ex Banfield assisted with right hand in the 3-0 proving that every time he puts on his national team’s shirt he changes. This Colombia has so much that two Argentine football figures like Juanfer Quintero of Racing and the undisputed goalscorer of River like Miguel Borja did not have any minutes and watched him from the bench.

Colombia enjoys. They have already qualified and on the last date a draw against Brazil will be enough to be the leader of this Group D. One important detail: this way they would avoid facing Uruguay in the quarterfinals. For now, Colombian enthusiasm is growing. Like that time in their homeland in 2001 when they won it for the first time, now they have to be candidates with dreams of conquering the United States and a new Copa América.

For this young Costa Rican woman, the bitter taste of not being able to endure any longer remains.. And with the chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals reduced, in the last matchday they will try to show a better offensive face at least against Paraguay. More work for Gustavo Alfaro, who always said that the main objective is to prepare to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.