- The Brazilian team created chances, but were stopped by a valiant Costa Rican team.
- Match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California closes the first round of this edition's Group Stage.
Highlights
- Marquinhos opened the scoring for Brazil after a free-kick, but VAR ruled it offside after review.
- The Canarinho team had over than 70% possession throughout the match.
- Teenager Endrick made his debut in the CONMEBOL Copa América™.
Match recap
The sunny afternoon in California was made for a hard-fought game as referee César Ramos blew the whistle for the start of Brazil vs. Costa Rica, the final match of Matchday 1 in this CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™. The Canarinho soon dominated with ball possession, with a lot of movement and exchange of passes to try to beat the opposing defense. The Costa Ricans were very diligent to counter the attack of Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, leading to a first half of few chances.
The Brazilians moved the ball on the ground to try to get into Patrick Sequeira's area: in the 11', Rodrygo received a pass from Paquetá and shot across, close to the right post. The team also came close in the 22' and 25', in quick plays, but Paquetá was not accurate in finishing, and Raphinha was well intercepted by the opposing goalkeeper after Rodrygo's throw-in.
The fortunes of Dorival Júnior's side seemed to change in the 30' when, on Raphinha's free-kick from the left, Rodrygo deflected it at the near post and Marquinhos appeared to finish into the back of the net. The VAR review, however, showed the Brazilian defender was offside. In stoppage time, the number 10 again tried to shoot from the edge of the area, but the ball went over the goal.
On the way back from the break, Brazil continued to insist on getting the zero off the scoreboard. Rodrygo almost did it in the 47th minute when he appeared to deflect a corner kick, but sent it wide. Gradually, Costa Rica became more confident in their defending, and the Brazilian chances inside the area became scarcer: Paquetá had to shoot from outside the area in the 63rd minute and hit the post, in one of the most dangerous moves against the opponent's goal.
Dorival Júnior changed the team to get the result, giving debuts to Savinho and Endrick – the latter, becoming the youngest Brazilian since 2011 to play a match in CONMEBOL Copa América™. When Brazil was impressing with technique, Sequeira intervened well, as what happened when Paquetá dribbled past his marker and passed to Arana to shoot hard, but was stopped by the great defense of the Ticos goalkeeper. Bruno Guimarães had a shot from inside the area, without precision, at the end of the match. And so the score stood.
With the result, Brazil and Costa Rica add their first points in this edition, remaining behind leader Colombia in Group D – Los Cafeteros beat Paraguay 2-1 in this first round.
What's next?
The matches of the second round for Group D in this CONMEBOL Copa América™ are scheduled for the 28th, Friday: Brazil faces Paraguay at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Costa Rica locks horns against Colombia, a game that will be held at the State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona).
Lineups & Info
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Éder Militão, Marquinhos, Arana; João Gomes, Bruno Guimarães, Paquetá; Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior.
Substitutes used: Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Savinho.
Cards: Éder Militão (yellow).
Coach: Dorival Júnior.
Costa Rica: Sequeira; Calvo, Mitchell, Vargas; Quirós, Brenes, Galo, Lassiter, Aguilera; Zamora, Ugalde.
Substitutes used: Alejandro Bran, Warren Madrigal, Joel Campbell, Joseph Mora, Gerald Taylor.
Cards: Francisco Calvo (amarelo), Manfred Ugalde (amarelo).
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: Patrick Sequeira (Costa Rica)
Referee: César Ramos (México)
Venue: SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
