Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Needing a win to advance to the Copa America quarterfinals for the first time since 2004, Costa Rica will face Paraguay at the Q2 Stadium on Wednesday.
A 3-0 loss to Colombia on matchday two dropped Los Ticos to third place in Group D with a point, while a 4-1 defeat against Brazil left Paraguay without a point and officially eliminated them from the competition.
Costa Rica
The Costa Ricans managed to surprise fans at the start of the Copa America. In their first game, they played against one of the favorites of the tournament, Brazil. In this match, despite Brazil’s fast attack, Costa Rica focused on defense. Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Costa Rica managed to hold on for a hard-fought draw against the Brazilians, ending 0-0. However, this effort failed in their next match. Costa Rica faced Colombia and lost 0–3. As a result, after two matches, they have just one point and a slim chance of making the playoffs. To achieve this, they need to win against Paraguay by a big margin and expect Brazil to lose. Such a scenario seems highly unlikely.
Overall, Costa Rica does not often participate in the Copa America. This tournament marks their sixth appearance. They reached the playoffs twice in 2001 and 2006, but never advanced beyond the quarterfinals. I believe the chances of Costa Rica reaching the quarter finals this year are very slim.
Paraguay
Unlike Costa Rica, Paraguay have no chance of making the Copa America playoffs. They faced Colombia in their first game of the tournament. Paraguay managed to put up a fight, but victory eluded them, resulting in a 1–2 loss. In the next game, Paraguay faced a real powerhouse.
As a result, Paraguay have not earned any points in their first two matches and have no chance of advancing to the quarter-finals. For the first time since 2016, Paraguay will miss the playoffs. Incidentally, the tournament was also held in the United States that year.
Match preview
After such an encouraging start to this tournament, the Costa Ricans failed to maintain that momentum in their Friday affair.
Luis Diaz converted a 31st-minute penalty, ending a four-match unconceeded run for the side, where the Costa Ricans suffered their heaviest defeat since a friendly against the United Arab Emirates last September (a 4-1 defeat).
Gustavo Alfaro’s men can no longer sit back and try to frustrate the opposition, needing a win for Los Ticos and a defeat for Brazil against Colombia, as well as a five-goal swing to see them progress.
Costa Rica are yet to score in this year’s Copa America and are in danger of finishing the tournament without a win for only the second time (1997). Costa Rica vs Paraguay-football.
Only once this century have they suffered back-to-back defeats in the group stage of the competition, while they have only lost once in their last Copa America group match (4–1 loss to Argentina).
Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Los Ticos are unbeaten in their previous three matches with Paraguay, with the last two matches against them ending in 0-0 draws.
American soil does not seem to suit Paraguay, who will exit the Copa America in the group stage on Tuesday for the first time since 2016, when the tournament was held in the United States.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Paraguay have never won a Copa America match played in the United States but have never gone into the tournament without money.
The last time they won a match after conceding the opening goal in the Copa América opener (3-1) against Bolivia in 2021, La Alberoza have lost each of their encounters since then when going down 1-0.
Daniel Garnero’s men have conceded six goals in two group fixtures, the second-best at the tournament behind Bolivia (seven) and the most by a national team in a single Copa America group stage since 2001 (six).
Garnero did not lose three matches in a row as manager of the national team, while the Paraguayans did not suffer three consecutive defeats from November 2022 to March 2023 (three).
Los Guaranis have not beaten Costa Rica (1-0) since 2010, although they won the only meeting against them 1-0 in the Copa America in 2004.
Team News
Costa Rica will be without Manfred Ugalde for the decider with the Spartak Moscow striker’s second caution of the tournament on Friday.
There was only one newcomer in their starting 11 on the second day of the match, with Warren Madrigal replacing Jefferson Brenes.
Andres Cubas will be suspended for the clash after the Paraguayan midfielder received a straight red card late in their previous match, while Demian Bobadilla was the only newcomer in their starting 11.
The only goal from Paraguay so far in this tournament has come from Omar Aldere, the Getafe defender’s first for the national team.
Costa Rica vs Paraguay lineup:
Costa Rica Probable Starting Lineup:
Sequeira; Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo; Quiros, Galo, Brenes, Lassiter; Zamora, Campbell; Contreras
Paraguay’s probable starting lineup:
Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Morinigo; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Caballero, Villasanti; Bobadill
Costa Rica vs Paraguay Prediction: Costa Rica 0-0 Paraguay
Costa Rica vs Paraguay-Both sides have played conservatively throughout the tournament as they lack the creativity or quality to break the other down.
The Costa Ricans still have something to play for, but we don’t believe they have the resources to find a way through Paraguay in this encounter.