Paul Newberry – The Associated Press
Posted: June 28, 2024
Last Updated: June 28, 2024
Jhon Cordoba of Colombia celebrates his goal during the team’s 3-0 Copa America victory over Costa Rica in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Cordoba scored three minutes apart in the second half, and Colombia advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Friday.
Colombia controlled possession (62 per cent) for the second straight game and led 1-0 at halftime on Luis Diaz’s penalty kick in the 31st minute.
Los Cafeteros kept up the pressure in the second half and wrapped up Group D with a dominating performance in front of 27,386 pro-Colombian fans at State Farm Stadium. Colombia outshot Costa Rica 14-5 and faces Brazil on Tuesday in Santa Clara, California to close out the group stage.
Colombia has won 10 straight and is unbeaten in 25 games (20-0-5) since losing at Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in 2022. Costa Rica did not have a shot on goal.
Costa Rica had the first big surprise of the tournament, playing nine-time Copa America champion Brazil to a scoreless tie despite being outshot 18-2.
Los Ticos found themselves on their heels again against another powerhouse team in the desert — and it didn’t go quite as well for the youngest roster in the tournament.
Colombia controlled possession (66 per cent) in its opening 2-1 win over Paraguay and dominated the ball early against Costa Rica.
Diaz had the first good chance in the fifth minute, just missing the crossbar on a header. James Rodriguez followed with the first shot on goal in the 20th minute, but Patrick Sequeira sprawled out for a diving save.
Diaz scored on the penalty kick after Sequeira took down a charging Cordoba at the edge of the penalty box. Los Cafeteros kept up the pressure, just missing another goal when Sanchez couldn’t get a head on Diaz’s bouncing cross.
Colombia had 71 per cent possession in the first half and kept control in the second.
Sanchez made it 2-0 with a header off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Cordoba scored when he slipped behind Costa Rica’s defence and beat Sequeira from a tough angle.
Brazil 4, Paraguay 1
Vinicius Junior scored two first-half goals to lead Brazil to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night and put itself in position to advance out of Group D in the Copa America.
Savinho also scored a first-half goal for Brazil and Lucas Paqueta scored on a penalty kick in the second half. Omar Alderete scored Paraguay’s goal.
There were plenty of tense moments with five yellow cards and a red handed out. Andres Cubas was sent off for a red card in the 81st minute, forcing Paraguay to play the last part of the match down a man. Yellow cards were handed to Brazil’s Wendell, Junior and Paqueta and Paraguay’s Fabian Balbuena and Hernesto Caballero.
The victory was quite a response for the Seleccao Canarinho, who opened the tournament Tuesday with a scoreless draw against Costa Rica despite outshooting their opponent 18-2.
With four points, Brazil is two behind group leader Colombia, which defeated Costa Rica 3-0 earlier Friday. A victory or tie by Brazil against Colombia on Tuesday ensures one of the group’s two spots in the knockout stage. Brazil also has a six-goal differential advantage over Costa Rica, so a loss likely won’t keep out the nine-time Copa America champions.
Source link : https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7250421
Author :
Publish date : 2024-06-28 20:26:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
