In a highly anticipated opening match of the Copa America held at SoFi Stadium, Brazil and Costa Rica played out a goalless draw, with Brazil dominating the possession but unable to penetrate the resolute Costa Rican defense.
Brazil’s Dominance in Possession and Attempts
Despite holding an overwhelming 74% of possession and registering 19 shots throughout the match, Brazil failed to convert their superiority into goals. The Brazilian side, led by head coach Dorival Junior, put only four of their shots on target, reflecting their struggles in the final third.
Midway through the first half, Brazil appeared to break the deadlock when Marquinhos found the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check revealed an offside infringement by a teammate in the build-up play. This disallowed goal epitomized Brazil's evening, as they found themselves repeatedly frustrated by both the defensive efforts of Costa Rica and their inability to finish chances.
Brazil's expected goals (xG) was 1.66, indicating that based on the quality of their opportunities, they might have expected to score at least once. Nonetheless, the young talent on the team, including 17-year-old Endrick, who was substituted in for Vinicius Junior in the 71st minute, could not find a way past Costa Rica’s well-organized defense. Speaking about the team’s performance, Dorival Junior acknowledged, "Despite this tactical change, the young talent couldn't break through Costa Rica's disciplined defense."
Costa Rica’s Defensive Resilience
Costa Rica entered the tournament with the youngest team, predominantly composed of players from their domestic league. Their strategy in this match was clear: defend in numbers, maintain a low block, and apply pressure on Brazil continuously. This defensive approach paid off as Costa Rica managed to restrict Brazil to just four shots on target from their 19 attempts. They further showcased their defensive prowess by not allowing a single shot on target themselves.
Costa Rica’s manager, Gustavo Alfaro, highlighted the importance of a solid defensive foundation, stating, "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."
The Road Ahead in Group D
Following this draw, both Brazil and Costa Rica are tied for second place in Group D, each with one point. Colombia currently sits at the top of the group, having secured a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening fixture. Brazil faces Paraguay next at Allegiant Stadium, a match that will be pivotal for their progress in the tournament.
Looking back at Brazil's form in 2023, the team had a mixed bag of results in World Cup qualifying games, finishing the year sixth in CONMEBOL's 10-team table. They secured only two wins out of six qualifying matches. Memorable moments include a hard-fought 1-0 win over England and an entertaining 3-3 draw with Spain in March, and more recently, a 1-1 draw with the U.S. men's national team earlier this month.
The performance in this opening match of the Copa America will undoubtedly be a cause for reflection for Dorival Junior and his team. While their control of the game and creation of chances were apparent, the conversion of opportunities remains a critical area to address. As they prepare for their next clash against Paraguay, all eyes will be on whether Brazil can leverage their possession and attacking prowess into decisive goals.