June 25, (THEWILL) – Brazil’s Copa América campaign began with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in Los Angeles. The nine-time champions and runners-up in 2021 dominated possession and created numerous chances but failed to find the back of the net against the tournament’s second-lowest-ranked side.
The match saw Brazil come close to scoring on several occasions. Raphinha forced Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira into a smart save early on, whilst Rodrygo narrowly missed the target. A goal by Marquinhos was disallowed for offside after a VAR review, adding to Brazil’s frustration. West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half, his long-range effort striking the post.
Despite introducing young talents Endrick and Savio in the closing stages, Brazil could not find a way through Costa Rica’s resolute defence. The statistics painted a clear picture of Brazil’s dominance, with 18 shots on goal compared to Costa Rica’s three. However, the scoreline remained unchanged, leaving Brazil with just a point from their opening fixture.
For Costa Rica, the result will be seen as a significant achievement. They have not beaten Brazil in 84 years, and few would have predicted they would hold the South American giants to a draw. The point gained will boost their confidence ahead of their next match against Colombia in Glendale.
Brazil will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Paraguay in their next group-stage match. With Colombia claiming a 2-1 victory over Paraguay earlier in the day, the pressure is now on Brazil to notch their first win of the tournament and reassert their status as favourites.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
