Costa Rica's endurance lasted only half an hour. After surprising Brazil with a 0-0 draw in their debut, Costa Rica couldn't replicate their resilience against Colombia, who handed them a 3-0 defeat to secure a place in the Copa América quarterfinals.
The match began with Colombia dominating possession but not overwhelming their opponents. However, a crucial mistake by Costa Rica's goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira changed the game. Sequeira, who had been the hero against Brazil, conceded an avoidable penalty by fouling Jhon Córdoba. Luis Díaz converted the penalty with precision, initiating the Colombian celebration in Glendale, Arizona. The goal boosted Colombia's confidence and deflated Costa Rica, who struggled to respond and failed to register a single shot on target.
In the second half, Colombia shifted into a higher gear and sealed their victory. Néstor Lorenzo's side extended their unbeaten streak to 25 matches (20 wins) and demonstrated their diverse attacking options. Whether through the pace and dribbling of Díaz and Jhon Arias, the creative play of James Rodríguez, or the physical presence of their forwards, Colombia posed constant threats. A powerful header from Dávinson Sánchez off a corner made it 2-0, showcasing their set-piece prowess. Jhon Durán, replacing Santos Borré, added the third goal after an assist from James, who once again proved his value.
Colombia's depth was evident as notable players like Juanfer Quintero and Miguel Borja remained unused substitutes. With this win, Colombia has qualified for the quarterfinals and needs only a draw against Brazil on the final matchday to top Group D and potentially avoid facing Uruguay in the next round. Colombian fans are hopeful, drawing parallels to their 2001 triumph when they won the Copa América on home soil.
For Costa Rica, the defeat leaves a bitter taste. With slim chances of advancing to the quarterfinals, they will aim to display a more attacking performance against Paraguay in their final group match. Gustavo Alfaro remains focused on the long-term goal of preparing the team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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