Brazil faced a challenging start to their Copa America campaign, held at the SoFi Stadium on Monday, where they were held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Costa Rica side. Despite dominating possession with 74% and registering 19 shots, the Brazilian team struggled to break down Costa Rica's disciplined defense.
One of the key moments of the match occurred around the half-hour mark when Marquinhos seemingly put Brazil ahead, only for the goal to be disallowed after a VAR check revealed an offside by a teammate. This decision encapsulated Brazil's frustrating evening, where they managed to put just four of their 19 shots on target, resulting in an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.66.
Brazil's head coach Dorival Junior attempted to inject fresh energy into the squad by substituting 17-year-old Endrick for Vinicius Junior in the 71st minute. However, despite the tactical change, Costa Rica's resolute defense held firm. Dorival Junior acknowledged the challenge, stating, "Despite this tactical change, the young talent couldn't break through Costa Rica's disciplined defense."
Costa Rica, with the youngest team in the competition composed predominantly of players from their domestic league, emphasized a defensive approach right from the outset. Under the guidance of manager Gustavo Alfaro, the team employed a low block strategy and exerted pressure in numbers to stifle Brazil's attacking prowess. Alfaro highlighted their game plan, 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."
Remarkably, Costa Rica did not register a single shot on target throughout the match, underscoring their primary focus on defensive organization. This approach proved effective in frustrating a Brazil side that has experienced mixed results in recent competitions.
Brazil's performance in 2023 has been a rollercoaster ride, with the team finishing the year in sixth place in CONMEBOL's 10-team World Cup qualifying table. Brazil secured only two victories in their six World Cup qualifying games this year. While there were notable results such as a 1-0 win over England in March and high-scoring draws with Spain (3-3) and the U.S. men's national team (1-1), consistency has been elusive.
The draw with Costa Rica sees both teams tied for second in Group D with one point each. Colombia currently leads the group following a narrow 2-1 victory over Paraguay in the opening round.
Looking ahead, Brazil will take on Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium in their next Copa America match. This encounter will likely be crucial for Brazil as they aim to secure a victory and improve their standing in the group. Costa Rica's strong defensive performance against Brazil suggests that they will be a difficult opponent for any team in the competition.
As the tournament progresses, Brazil will need to find a way to convert their possession and shot dominance into goals, while Costa Rica will aim to build on their disciplined defensive display. The next round of matches in Group D promises to be an exciting and crucial phase in the Copa America.