Brazil Held to Scoreless Draw by Costa Rica in Copa America Opener
In a match that many expected Brazil to dominate, the Seleção were held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica in their opening game of the Copa America at SoFi Stadium on Monday. Despite Brazil controlling 74% of the possession and unleashing 19 shots, their efforts were stymied by a disciplined Costa Rican defense.
Throughout the match, Brazil's offensive frustrations were palpable. An early glimmer of hope came around the half-hour mark when Marquinhos appeared to break the deadlock. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check confirmed an offside decision against a teammate, further dampening Brazil’s attacking ambitions.
Brazil managed to place only four of their 19 shots on target, reflecting their struggle to convert possession into genuine scoring opportunities. Their expected goals (xG) metric for the game stood at 1.66, underlining the inefficiency of their attack.
Dorival Junior, the head coach of Brazil, made a notable substitution in the 71st minute by bringing on 17-year-old Endrick for Vinicius Junior. Despite this tactical change, which introduced fresh energy and youthful enthusiasm, Costa Rica's defense remained impassable. "Despite this tactical change, the young talent couldn't break through Costa Rica's disciplined defense," Dorival Junior remarked post-match.
On the other side of the pitch, Costa Rica, boasting the youngest team in the competition mostly comprised of domestic league players, stuck to their game plan with commendable discipline. Costa Rica's manager, Gustavo Alfaro, emphasized their defensive strategy, saying, "On the other side, Costa Rica's manager, Gustavo Alfaro, emphasized their defensive strategy, highlighting the importance of maintaining a low block and pressuring Brazil in numbers."
Remarkably, Costa Rica did not manage a single shot on target, indicating their primary focus was on defense rather than testing Brazil's goalkeeper. Their steadfast approach paid off, earning them a valuable point in a challenging group.
Brazil's recent performance in World Cup qualifying has been mixed, concluding the year in sixth place in CONMEBOL's 10-team table. With only two victories in six games in 2023, including a 1-0 win over England and a 3-3 draw with Spain in March, as well as a 1-1 draw with the U.S. men's national team earlier this month, the Seleção have shown flashes of their potential but also inconsistencies that have stymied their progress.
Following the draw, Brazil and Costa Rica each have one point, tying them for second place in Group D. Colombia sits at the top of the group after securing a 2-1 win over Paraguay in their first match.
Looking ahead, Brazil will be keen to recalibrate their strategy and aim for a more clinical performance in their next Copa America match against Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium. This upcoming fixture will be crucial for Brazil as they seek to gain momentum and improve their standing in the group stages.