Brazil started their Copa America marketing campaign with a irritating goalless draw in opposition to Costa Rica on the SoFi Stadium.
The Selecao dominated giant durations of the Group D conflict. Marquinhos noticed a aim dominated out following a VAR overview, whereas Lucas Paqueta rattled the woodwork from distance.
But regardless of having fun with slightly below three-quarters of the possession and registering 19 photographs to their opponents’ two, they may not discover the breakthrough and did not win their opening match within the competitors for the primary time since 2016.
Dorival Junior’s aspect subsequently misplaced early floor on Group D leaders Colombia, who beat Paraguay 2-1 earlier within the day.
Brazil rapidly asserted their authority on proceedings in California as they sought the sport’s opening aim.
Rodrygo steered a shot large following a jinking run into the penalty space, whereas Raphinha was denied by Patrick Sequeira after latching onto a diagonal ball excessive of the Costa Rica defence.
The Selecao thought they’d damaged the impasse on the half-hour mark when Marquinhos utilized the final touch after Rodrygo glanced Raphinha’s free-kick in direction of the far put up, just for the strike to be dominated out for offside following a VAR overview.
Rodrygo fired narrowly over in first-half stoppage time and, then on 63 minutes, Lucas Paqueta noticed his ferocious 25-yard drive crash in opposition to Sequeira’s left upright.
Dorival withdrew the quiet Vinicius Junior in favour of Endrick and Savinho for the ultimate 20 minutes, and each appeared harmful upon their introductions.
The latter’s cross nearly noticed Costa Rica defender Haxzel Quiros head into his personal internet together with his blushes spared by Sequeira, who then beat away Guilherme Arana’s fierce volley.
Savinho was concerned once more in stoppage time as he teed up one last alternative for Bruno Guimaraes, who bent his first-time shot narrowly large to compound a irritating begin to the match for the nine-time winners.
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Selecao stutter on return to States
It’s truthful to say Brazil don’t increase significantly fond latest reminiscences of taking part in in the US in recent times.
In any case, the Selecao crashed out within the group levels when the Copa America was final held on this nation eight years in the past.
Neymar, who was a part of that aspect, watched on from the stands having been dominated out of this match via damage.
Attempt as they could, his team-mates simply couldn’t break down their opponents and switch their dominance into the elusive aim, with simply three of their 19 makes an attempt on track.
Recent from taking part in a starring function in Actual Madrid’s LaLiga and Champions League double, Vinicius Junior was unable to encourage his nation – his tallies of 45 touches and 23 passes had been the bottom recorded by any of Brazil’s outfield starters.
On a brighter be aware, Marquinhos made his sixteenth Copa America look – with solely Dani Alves (19) and Thiago Silva (18) taking part in extra instances for the Selecao within the competitors since 2000 – although a VAR overview prevented him from marking the event with a aim.
One other clear sheet for repellent Costa Rica
Costa Rica had been heavy underdogs on their return to the Copa America for the primary time in eight years.
Not since 2004 have Los Ticos progressed from the group levels of this competitors, however they definitely know what it takes to say a scalp on the large stage.
Precisely 10 years in the past, they beat Uruguay and Italy to high Group D, which additionally featured England, on the way in which to reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.
Quick ahead a decade and Joel Campbell, who was a part of that aspect, got here off the bench for his a hundred and fortieth cap as his nation halted a run of 9 successive defeats by Brazil.
Extra impressively, Costa Rica have stored clear sheets in every of their final 4 aggressive video games.
Their failure to report a single shot on track for the primary time in a Copa America match since 2011 might be a slight concern, however that defensive stubbornness will stand them in good stead as they give the impression of being to progress on this match.
