Costa Rica beat Paraguay but exit Copa America as Colombia, Brazil advance
AUSTIN, Texas, July 2 (Reuters) AUSTIN, Texas 2 July (Reuters) Costa Rica scored two goals in the first half to beat Paraguay after the end the Copa America Group D match on Tuesday. However, they did not make it to the quarterfinals after finishing third in Brazil’s draw was 1-1 to Colombia.
Colombia finished as overall winners by securing seven points. Brazil was runners-up, having 5 points. Costa Rica return home with four points, whereas Paraguay was eliminated after three losses.
“This was one of the tough bunch. We played against Brazil and Colombia one of the four most favored teams to win the Copa,” Costa Rica coach Gustavo Alfaro told reporters.
“We were capable of drawing strength from our the strengths, accomplishments and our mistakes However, we’ve become more proficient and are now looking at our performance, not the outcome.
“The most important thing is learning and it was a short competition that we had to utilize to the maximum. “
Costa Rica needed results to be successful, and so massive swings in goal differentials for qualification and they didn’t waste time in establishing their position following the their captain Francisco Calvo and Josimar Alcocer scored 2-0 after just 7 minutes.
Calvo scored from just the edge of the field, within the third minute. Alcocer, 19, ran past a few teammates before pulling the lever from outside the box, and scoring against the goalkeeper.
But, Paraguay began to shine during the second period, and Costa Rica’s hopes of qualifying dwindled within 10 minutes of the beginning of the second half, when Ramon Sosa scored his first goal for the nation.
Costa Rica’s defensive might not stop the attacking in the first half, as Mathias Villasanti dribbled into the box and produced Sosa who smashed the ball over the goal, beyond the reach of the goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira.
Costa Rica nearly conceded another time by way of a corner in extra time as the ball bounced off the back of Fabian Balbuena’s head towards Angel Romero but his shot was not able to pass into the hands of Sequeleira.
It was the first time since 1925 that Paraguay has lost all their group matches.
“It is a mediocre performance, overall effort” Head trainer Daniel Garnero declared.
In his statement regarding his future plans, the man stated: “I am here because the company has asked me for my services. If they decide not keeping me on their payroll, then it’s their choice. I’ll have to discuss the matter with them. “
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Report written by Rohith Nair Reporting from Bengaluru Additional reporting done by Field Level Media; Editing by Peter Rutherford
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
