The selection of Costa Rica could not work the miracle this Tuesday and move on to the quarterfinals of the America Cupbut said goodbye to the tournament with his head held high, after winning 2-1 Paraguay in Austin and at least give themselves moments of hope. Headed goals from Francisco Calvo and 19-year-old Josimar Alcócer in the first seven minutes gave Costa Rica a moment of hope, as they needed to win, Brazil’s defeat, and also had to recover a goal difference of six goals to advance.
The team led by Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro was unable to do so. The goal that gave Paraguay the final 1-2, scored by Ramón Sosa, ended their hopes of qualifying, but did not tarnish the great work of the Ticos. They have a young group and a highly experienced coach. Two years before the World Cup, they have shown that they have the arguments to be competitive. Paraguay said goodbye to the Copa América with three defeats out of three. The fans of the Albirroja will try to console themselves with the participation of their team in the Olympic Games in Paris.
Alfaro’s team did what they could, and they had a dream start with two goals in the first seven minutes. It was Calvo who broke the tie in the third minute by heading in a perfect cross from Joseph Mora from the left wing.
Against a Paraguay side that was emotionally affected by their early elimination from the Copa America, Costa Rica attacked and extended their lead just four minutes later with a great goal from Alcócer with a low shot from outside the area that was saved by the goalkeeper. It was 2-0 for the Ticos in a festive atmosphere, but also one of high tension, with one eye always on the match in Santa Clara, where Brazil would take the lead shortly after with a great free kick from Raphinha.
Alejandro Romero (Paraguay) and Orlando Galo, fighting for a ball
Paraguay, like in the match against Brazil, had Enciso as its source of play. The young Brighton talent, who also aims to join the Albirroja team in the next Paris Games, had his team’s best chance with a powerful shot from outside the area that goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira managed to send to a corner.
The good news for Costa Rica came just seconds after the referee blew the final whistle in the first half. It was Daniel Muñoz’s goal that tied the game at the Levi’s Stadium on the brink of half-time. The Ticos were clinging to the miracle. They began the second half with Colombia needing to complete the comeback and with a goal difference of four goals to recover. But the illusion lasted very little.
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Ten minutes into the second half, Ramón Sosa scored his first goal as an international with a wonderful curved right-footed shot, putting the score at 1-2, once again putting a mountain between Costa Rica and the passage to the quarterfinals. The psychological blow was noticeable for Costa Rica, which after Paraguay’s goal lowered its position and focused on trying to defend its advantage in order to at least score its first victory in this Copa América.
And he did so thanks to an extraordinary save by Keylor Navas’ heir, goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira, who denied Ángel Romero the equaliser in the 94th minute.
DATA SHEET
2 – Costa Rica: Patrick Sequeira; Gerald Taylor, Jeyland Mitchell, Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo, Joseph Mora (Julio Cascate, m.88); Orlando Galo, Jefferson Brenes (Alejandro Bran, m.78); Warren Madrigal (Anthony, m.84), Josimar Alcocer (Álvaro Zamora, m.68), Joel Campbell (Brandon Aguilera, m.68)
1 – Paraguay: Rodrigo Morinigo; Gustavo Velazquez (Ivan Ramirez, d.74), Fabian Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Nestos Gimenez; Mathias Villasanti (Kaku, d.74), Damian Bobadilla (Derlis Gonzalez, d.84), Ramon Sosa; Miguel Almiron (Hernesto Caballero, d.46), Julio Enciso, Adam Bareiro (Angel Romero, d.46)
Goals: 1-0, Calvo (m. 3); 2-0, Alcócer (m. 7); 1-2, Sosa (m. 55)
Referee: Leodán González (Uruguay). He showed yellow cards to Alcócer (m.16), Galo (m.82) and Contreras (m.85), from Costa Rica, and to Alderete (m.28), Almirón (m.34) and Sosa (m.48), from Paraguay
Incidents: Match corresponding to the third day of Group D of the Copa América played at the Q2 Stadium in Austin (Texas) before nearly 15,000 spectators.
