In a tightly contested affair at SoFi Stadium on Monday, Brazil and Costa Rica played to a scoreless draw in their opening match of the Copa America. The match, marked by Brazil’s dominance in possession and chances, was ultimately overshadowed by their inability to break through Costa Rica’s disciplined defense.
Brazil, a team often known for its attacking prowess, controlled 74% of the possession and managed to unleash 19 shots throughout the game. However, the Seleção could only steer four of those attempts on target. Despite the overwhelming control and frequency of attempts, Brazil’s finishers couldn’t find the clinical edge needed to secure a win.
A standout moment came around the half-hour mark when Marquinhos appeared to have broken the deadlock. The Brazilian defender found the back of the net, momentarily causing an eruption of cheers from Brazilian fans. However, the joy was short-lived as VAR intervention revealed an offside by a teammate, nullifying the goal. This decision encapsulated Brazil's frustration throughout the match.
Brazil's expected goals (xG) of 1.66 highlighted their offensive efforts, but their precision in finishing left much to be desired. Head coach Dorival Junior, in a tactical adjustment, brought on 17-year-old Endrick for Vinicius Junior in the 71st minute. The substitution reflected a bid to unlock Costa Rica’s defense, but even the young talent couldn’t break through. "Despite this tactical change, the young talent couldn't break through Costa Rica's disciplined defense," Dorival Junior noted post-match.
Defensively, Costa Rica adopted a pragmatic approach that paid dividends. Fielding the youngest team in the competition, largely comprised of domestic league players, Costa Rica set up a low block and applied pressure in numbers. Gustavo Alfaro, Costa Rica’s manager, 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."
This conservative tactic meant that Costa Rica did not register a single shot on target. However, their dogged defending ensured they left the stadium with a valuable point. With the draw, both teams ended up sharing spoils, each securing one point and leaving them tied for second in Group D.
Brazil, who had a rocky 2023 in World Cup qualifiers with only two wins from six games and finishing sixth in CONMEBOL's 10-team table, seemed to carry over some of those struggles into their Copa America campaign. Even a 1-0 victory over England and thrilling draws against Spain (3-3) and the U.S. (1-1) earlier in the year did little to fend off their goal-scoring woes.
Colombia currently sits atop Group D after edging Paraguay 2-1 in their opening match. As Brazil prepares for their next fixture against Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium, executing a sharper attack will be paramount if they hope to move beyond the group stage and make a deep run in the tournament.
The upcoming match will provide another litmus test for Dorival Junior’s side as they look to capitalize on their possession and improve their finishing. The defensive resilience shown by Costa Rica serves as a blueprint for future opponents, underlining the need for Brazil to find solutions against well-organized defenses.
For Costa Rica, the match against Brazil showcased their potential to disrupt stronger opponents through tactical discipline and unity. Although their offensive threat was minimal, their defensive solidity could carry them far if maintained throughout the tournament.
As the Copa America progresses, the storied rivalry and spirited clashes promise further excitement, with Brazil and Costa Rica each eyeing progression beyond the group stages. The journey, undoubtedly, is just beginning.