Costa Rica Ends Copa América with Victory Over Paraguay
Costa Rica concluded their 2024 Copa América journey on a high note with a 2-1 victory over Paraguay at the Q2 Stadium in Austin. Despite the win, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Match Recap
Costa Rica came into the match with slim hopes of progressing to the knockout stage, requiring both a victory against Paraguay and a significant goal swing in the concurrent Brazil vs Colombia fixture. They started the game aggressively and were rewarded with two quickfire goals within the first 10 minutes. Francisco Calvo opened the scoring with a close-range header from Joseph Mora’s cross, followed shortly by Josimar Alcócer’s precise strike from outside the box.
Paraguay, already eliminated from the tournament, struggled to mount a response in the first half. Their best chance came from Julio Enciso’s effort, which forced Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira into a save. Despite the early deficit, Paraguay showed resilience after the break, pulling a goal back through Ramon Sosa’s superb curling shot into the top corner from inside the area.
Second Half Drama
With Brazil and Colombia deadlocked in their match, Costa Rica held onto a faint hope of a miraculous qualification. However, Paraguay’s renewed vigor posed threats as Enciso and Sosa tested Sequeira with dangerous attempts. The Ticos, determined to finish on a high, defended resolutely to deny Paraguay an equalizer and secure their second victory of the tournament.
Tournament Conclusion
Costa Rica’s win sees them finish their Copa América campaign with four points, but their dream of advancing to the quarter-finals remains unfulfilled. Meanwhile, Paraguay ends their group stage without a point for the first time since 1925, shifting their focus to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign starting in September.