The Copa America is underway and in Group D, Colombia have the opportunity to become the first team in the Group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Colombia takes on a Costa Rica side that gained a credible draw against one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, in their opening group game.
Date: 28/06/2024
Kick-Off Time: 19:00 EST
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium
Colombia began their Copa America campaign with a 2-1 win over Paraguay and ahead of their second game of the group against Costa Rica, their qualification chances look assured. Los Cafeteros would only need a victory in their second group game, to guarantee themselves a top-two finish at worst within the group. If Brazil were to fail to beat Paraguay and Colombia were to beat Costa Rica, Colombia would finish as group winners with their game against Brazil meaning nothing for their context.
There could also be a scenario where should Costa Rica beat Colombia and Brazil beat Paraguay, three teams could be competing for those two qualification spots – with Brazil facing Colombia in the final group game.In their opening game win over Paraguay, Colombia had a larger share of possession, despite both sides creating an equal amount of chances with 11 each. Colombia opened the scoring in the 32nd minute thanks to a header from Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz – assisted by James Rodriguez. Nestor Moreno’s side doubled their lead ten minutes later, as once again James Rodriguez was the creative spark as he found Jefferson Lerma from a set-piece who guided his header home. Paraguay pulled a goal back with 20 minutes through Julio Enciso, although Colombia held on for the important victory.
Colombia is touted as one of the favourites for the competition with Bet365 placing odds of 17/2 – fourth behind Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Colombia is competing at their 24th Copa America Championship and although they are listed as fourth favourites, they have won only one Copa America. Colombia’s only success came in 2001 when they beat Mexico 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba.
Costa Rica was rather fortunate to gain a draw in their opening game against Brazil, nonetheless, they have given themselves a great platform to potentially cause an upset in the group. If Costa Rica were to beat Colombia, they would leapfrog Colombia into the top two places and could have their destiny in their hands in the final group game.
A defeat would effectively end any hopes of qualification altogether. Brazil was the dominant team against Costa Rica, having 74% possession and putting 19 shots on the Costa Rican goal. In contrast, Costa Rica only fashioned two shots the entire game. Patrick Sequeira was brilliant for Costa Rica having prevented 0.97 goals in the game, having performed four saves – two of which were big chances also saved.The previous meeting between the two sides resulted in a 3-1 win for Colombia thanks largely to a brace from Columbus Crew striker Cucho Hernandez. The last meeting at the Copa America between the two sides was in 2018, where Costa Rica beat Colombia in the group stage 3-2.