Copa America 2024 Group D : Colombia V/s. Costa Rica Match Preview and Lineups

Copa America 2024 Group Stage

29 June, 2024 - Indian Date

State Farm Stadium

MATCH TIMES

India

03:30 AM

UAE

02:00 AM

Saudi Arabia

1:00 AM

FULL TIME

Colombia [3-0] Costa Rica




Predicted Lineups:

Colombia possible starting lineup: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Mina, Mojica; Rios, Lerma, Arias, Rodriguez; Duran, Diaz

Costa Rica possible starting lineup: Sequeira; Quiros, Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo, Lassiter; Galo, Bran, Aguilera; Zamora, Ugalde

Colombia can secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America with a win over Costa Rica on Friday at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Following a 2-1 victory over Paraguay, Los Cafeteros lead Group D with three points. Meanwhile, Costa Rica managed a surprising 0-0 draw against Brazil.

Colombia had a challenging first 20 minutes in their opening match but ultimately capitalized on their possession, holding 68% of the ball and scoring on two of their three shots on target. This puts them in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals for the sixth consecutive time. Colombia has won nine straight matches in all competitions, with seven of those victories coming by a single goal. They aim to win back-to-back group matches in the Copa America for the first time since 2019, when they last topped their group.

Defensively solid and offensively potent, Colombia has scored 13 goals in their last four games. They haven't lost to a CONCACAF opponent since the 2016 Copa America, where they were defeated 3-2 by Costa Rica.

Costa Rica achieved a notable result in their opening game, becoming the third CONCACAF nation to keep Brazil scoreless in the Copa America, joining Honduras (2001) and Mexico (2001 and 2007). Despite Brazil dominating possession and chances, Costa Rica held firm with only 26% possession and a 0.03 expected goals ratio.

Currently on a four-match unbeaten run, their longest since the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, Costa Rica hasn't conceded in their last three games but has yet to record consecutive clean sheets in the Copa America. Historically, Costa Rica has struggled against Colombia, losing nine of their 11 meetings, with their last win in 2016 being their first since 1938.

Colombia might miss Jhon Lucumi, who was replaced by Yerry Mina after sustaining a knock against Paraguay. Luis Diaz earned his 50th cap, and Camilo Vargas continued as the starting goalkeeper, with record cap holder David Ospina on the bench. Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma scored in the opener, with James Rodriguez becoming the first player since 2019 to register two assists in a single group stage game.

Costa Rica made three changes from their World Cup qualifying victory over Grenada, introducing Haxzel Quiros, Juan Pablo Vargas, and Jefferson Brenes. Youngster Jeyland Mitchell, at 19 years and 270 days, started against Brazil, becoming the youngest CONCACAF player to start in the Copa America since Joel Campbell in 2011. Goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira made three saves to secure his fourth consecutive clean sheet, despite facing 19 Brazilian shots.

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