Brazil and Costa Rica play out goalless draw in Copa America opener

On Monday night at SoFi Stadium, Brazil and Costa Rica opened their Copa America campaigns with a 0-0 draw, a match thick with possession but void of finishing touches for Brazil and marked by dogged defense from Costa Rica. Despite owning 74% of the ball and firing off 19 shots, Brazil couldn't break through a resolute Costa Rican defense.

The standout moment came in the first half when Marquinhos found the back of the net for Brazil around the 30th minute. However, the celebration was short-lived. A VAR check confirmed an offside by a teammate, nullifying the goal and keeping the match scoreless.

In terms of offensive pressure, Brazil put just four of their 19 shots on target, reflecting a struggle to convert their dominance into goals. Their expected goals (xG) tally of 1.66 starkly contrasted with the reality of the scoreline. This inefficiency was underscored by Brazil head coach Dorival Junior's tactical shift late in the game. He substituted 17-year-old prodigy Endrick for Vinicius Junior at the 71-minute mark in a bid to inject fresh ideas and energy into the Brazilian attack. Dorival Junior later reflected, "Despite this tactical change, the young talent couldn't break through Costa Rica's disciplined defense."

Costa Rica’s defensive approach proved effective. They boasted the youngest team in the competition, predominantly featuring players from their domestic league. Notably, they did not put a single shot on target, focusing their efforts entirely on maintaining a solid defensive shape. Their head coach, Gustavo Alfaro, elaborated on this strategy, noting, "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 disciplined approach paid dividends as it stifled Brazil's attacking threats. The draw leaves both teams tied for second place in Group D with one point each, trailing group leaders Colombia, who edged Paraguay 2-1 in their opening match.

Brazil's recent form has been somewhat inconsistent. They wrapped up 2023 in sixth place in CONMEBOL's 10-team World Cup qualifying table with just two wins in six qualifying games. Their notable results from earlier this year include a 1-0 victory over England in March and high-scoring draws against Spain (3-3) and the U.S. men's national team (1-1) this month. These results underscore a side that can indeed challenge top-tier opponents yet struggles to consistently secure wins.

Up next for Brazil is another significant test as they prepare to face Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium. This match will be crucial for Dorival Junior’s side as they aim to secure a much-needed win to bolster their position in Group D.

As the Copa America progresses, both Brazil and Costa Rica will need to address their shortcomings from this match. For Brazil, converting possession and shots into goals will be key, while Costa Rica will look to build upon their strong defensive foundation to make waves in a highly competitive group.