Colombia easily defeated Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday in Arizona, advancing to the Copa America quarterfinals.
Luis Diaz, Davinson Sanchez, and Jhon Cordoba all scored goals to secure the three points for the Colombians, who will now undoubtedly finish in the top two in Group D.
If Colombia can get at least a point against Brazil, who defeated Paraguay 4-1 in Friday’s other Copa match, in their last group match next Tuesday, they would go to the quarterfinals as group winners.
After extending their winning run to 25 games at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on Friday, the Colombians will enter that match full of confidence.
Since a loss to Argentina in February 2022, Nestor Lorenzo’s well-oiled team has not suffered a setback, and they never appeared in danger of that happening on Friday.
In the thirty-first minute, Liverpool’s star Diaz opened the score from the penalty spot after Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira unintentionally collided with Cordoba on the edge of the box.
Stepping up, Diaz fired a powerful spot kick into the upper corner.
After 37 minutes, Colombia nearly doubled their score when seasoned midfielder James Rodriguez found Diaz at the back post.
Diaz attempted to cross the ball into the six-yard area, but Sanchez, the center back, was unable to get a touch to put it in the net.
But Sanchez didn’t make a mistake when he headed home Jhon Arias’s cross from the left to make it 2-0 in the 59th minute.
The finest goal of the match was subsequently scored by Cordoba on minute 62, giving Colombia their third.
Rodriguez’s brilliant through pass allowed Cordoba to race in on goal and split the Costa Rican defense. The 31-year-old then sent a shot across goal and into the far corner.
After wasting a fantastic opportunity to take the lead, the Brazilians, who had just drawn 0-0 with Costa Rica, surged out to a 3-0 lead at halftime against Paraguay in Las Vegas and went on to win.
Adrian Cubas of Paraguay, who would be sent out in the 81st minute, fouled in the penalty area, but Lucas Paqueta of Brazil missed the penalty kick in the 31st.
However, Paqueta assisted Vincius Junior in scoring Brazil’s first goal in the 35th minute.
In stoppage time, in the fifth minute, Vincius Junior scored a right-footed goal to give Brazil a 3-0 advantage at halftime. Savinho had increased Brazil’s lead in the 43rd minute.
Leave a Reply