With an unbeaten run of 25 games, clear superiority in the game and goals of all kinds, the Colombian team confirmed that it is among the candidates to be crowned in the America Cup.
Luis Díaz debuted his scoring tally in this edition, James Rodríguez contributed another assist and Colombia moved into the quarterfinals after dispatching Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday.
Díaz converted a penalty in the 31st minute, Davinson Sánchez added a goal in the 59th by heading in a corner kick and Jhon Córdoba made it three with a furious cross shot after being assisted by James.
Colombia extended its streak of games without losing to 25, a balance of 20 wins and five draws. He has won his last 10 games under the leadership of Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo, undefeated since he coached his first game in September 2022.
“Every game is a different story,” Lorenzo said. “Today we found it through possession, positioning and that helped us not to suffer.”
His team won, pleased and thrashed at State Farm Stadium, an NFL venue located in the Arizona desert that has hosted three editions of the Super Bowl.
In front of 27,386 fans, mostly compatriots, Colombia dominated possession (62%) and overwhelmed Costa Rica 14-5 in shots. The Ticos were unable to get a shot on goal.
Colombia has won the title only once in its history, as host in 2001.
“I appreciate what the team did. We have a spectacular group that is giving everything for the objective,” said Díaz, who scored four goals in the previous edition of the Copa América, sharing the lead with Lionel Messi. The Colombians lost on penalties to Argentina in the semifinals in that 2021 edition and finished in third place.
They are making a strong showing in the United States, consolidated at the top of Group D with the ideal of six points. They will close the first round against Brazil on Tuesday in Santa Clara, California. Later, Brazil beat Paraguay 4-1 to remain in second place with four points.
“We were also excited and what can I say to the people…enjoy it,” said Lorenzo.
INFLECTION POINT
Díaz opened the scoring after a penalty was awarded for a careless foul by Patrick Sequeira, who was left as Costa Rica’s goalkeeper in the continental tournament after the decision of the legendary Keylor Navas to retire from the national team last month. Sequeira was a key figure in the 0-0 draw that Costa Rica drew with Brazil in its first match.
Sequeira came out to meet a ball that Córdoba and Francisco Calvo were fighting for on the right side of the area, taking the Colombian striker down. The Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejero did not hesitate to whistle the penalty.
Díaz executed with class, hitting him with the inside edge of his right boot and high to the left of Sequeira, who dived towards the other post.
Before the penalty, James grabbed the ball and, when everyone had moved away from the area, he handed it to Díaz for the penalty.
“We know we have a good footing, we talked about it and they gave me their confidence,” said Díaz.
Sánchez scored the second goal after a corner kick taken by Jhon Arias. The defender appeared in the centre of the area to head the ball into the net.
After an exquisite filtered pass from James, Córdoba entered alone on the right side of the area and crossed the goal. It was the third assist for Colombia’s “10” in the tournament after serving both goals in the 2-1 victory against Paraguay in the debut.
“I’m happy with the national team, I can help my teammates,” said James before highlighting his role in Córdoba’s goal.
“He scored a really good goal with a nice pass. Mine,” James said with a laugh.
I WANTED BUT I COULD NOT
In the build-up, it was expected that Costa Rica would once again deploy the defensive framework that had made Brazil bitter, but Gustavo Alfaro’s team showed ambition to attack. However, they lacked weight in the opponent’s area and suffered against the speed of Díaz and Córdoba.
“We weren’t holding the ball to dominate it and force Colombia to retreat,” Alfaro analyzed. “And in these kinds of games, mistakes are costly.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Costa Rica will close against eliminated Paraguay in Austin, Texas.
The unbeaten streak is the second longest in the team’s history, approaching 27 games under the direction of Francisco Maturana between June 1992 and March 1994.
Source: AP
