MIAMI – Costa Rica and Paraguay clash in the final matchday of Group D at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Tuesday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Los Ticos will look to rebound from a 3-nil loss to group leaders Colombia last Friday in Arizona. Costa Rica started its campaign with a scoreless draw against Brazil to earn a point.
Patrick Sequeira made two saves in the Colombian encounter but conceded a penalty that denied him his second clean sheet. Sequeira also made three saves in the opening match against Brazil, for a total of five in two matches.
Haxzel Quiros stood out defensively against the Colombian attack in goal scoring opportunities. The Herediano man had two steals and an attempt in attack.
Jefferson Brenes, Ariel Lassiter, and Alvaro Zamora each lead the team with one shot on target. Orlando Galo leads the team with two shots in two games.
Defender Julio Cascante could play on his home field as a member of Austin FC. If he earns minutes against Paraguay, he will make his Copa America debut.
Paraguay is eliminated from advancing but will look to exit the tournament with a victory. Omar Alderete and Julio Enciso lead La Albirroja with one goal each.
A dramatic night could be in store as Costa Rica needs to win, Brazil to lose, and end the matchday with a higher goal difference than the Brazilians. If these things come to fruition, Costa Rica would finish second in the group and advance to the tournament quarterfinals for the third time.
Head-To-Head
- Costa Rica vs Paraguay
They will meet for the third time in the group stage of the Copa América.
In the 2004 edition in Peru, Group C, a 1x0 victory for Paraguay with a goal by Julio dos Santos (penalty 85’), the second time was in the Centenario edition in 2016, Group A, a 0x0 draw.
In the last 5 games in all competitions, both teams won twice and drew one game. In the last three encounters, Costa Rica achieved one win and two draws, the victory was 2x1 in an international friendly in 2014 with goals by Joel Campbell (45’) and Álvaro Saborío (73’) and Gustavo Gómez (87’) for Paraguay.
All-Time Series: 9 games
3 wins Costa Rica
3 draws
3 wins Paraguay
5 goals Costa Rica
6 goals Paraguay