Brazil in crisis ‘canceled’ by ‘modest’ Costa Rica at Copa America start

On Monday, Brazil suffered an incredible 0-0 draw against lowly Costa Rica in the first round of Group D of the Copa América at the Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

In coach Dorival Junior’s debut in “real” games, the Canarinhos recorded their fifth consecutive match without a win in official matches, after finishing fourth in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, in a game in which they attacked a lot, but almost always poorly.

The game was one-sided, against Costa Rica, a team that failed to make a single shot in 90 minutes, but Brazil showed that it is still in crisis in terms of results and identity, and also because it has no players today other times.

Despite the poor performance, Brazil had several clear scoring opportunities and in this aspect they showed a great lack of inspiration as well as confidence, with credit also to be given to the defensive scheme put in place by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro and ultimately the guard networks to Patrick Sequeira.

With Porto players Wendell, Pepe and Evanilson on the bench, from which they did not leave, the Brazilians began to dominate and quickly created two chances thanks to strikes by Raphinha, a former Vitoria and Sporting player, in the seventh minute, and Rodrigo. in the 12th.

The Canarinhos monologue continued but danger only returned in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira saved another shot from Raphinha, isolated by Rodrigo, followed by a header past Paqueta in the 26th minute.

Before the break, Brazil thought they had scored in the 30th minute, but Marquinhos was flagged offside by a millimeter, followed by poor shots from Paqueta and Rodrigo.

At the beginning of the second half, Rodrigo again had chances in the 47th and 60th minutes, but he did not know how to take advantage of them, and in the 63rd minute the goal came even closer thanks to Paqueta’s “shot” at the left post.

Substitutions began soon after: Alfaro released former Lion Joel Campbell, among others, and Dorival Junior successively opted for Savigno, Endrick instead of the “harmless” Vinicius Junior and Martinelli.

Canarinhos’ best chance was a header towards Haxel Quiroz’s goal in the 72nd minute, which Sequeira had difficulty parrying.

Arana in the 79th minute, Rodrigo in the 87th minute, Bruno Guimarães with a shot wide of the left post in 90+1 and Paqueta in 90+3 missed the last great opportunities of the Brazilians, the Ticos resisted “heroically” until the final whistle.

In the second round, Brazil will face Paraguay, who made their debut with a 2-1 loss to Colombia, Costa Rica’s next opponent.