Colombia vs Costa Rica Preview & Prediction | 2024 Copa America | Group Stage
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Colombia came into the tournament on the back of an extremely impressive run of form and they began the group stages with a strong performance as they face a Costa Rica that managed to blunt Brazil.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 28th June, 2024 - UK – 11:00pm / US ET – 6:00pm / US PT – 3:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Fox Sports & TUDN
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – UniMas, Univision, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue & ViX
COLOMBIA PREVIEW: ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST
Under the management of Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia have quietly gone about putting together a simply outstanding record. They are unbeaten in CONMEBOL qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and their overall unbeaten record was extended to 24 matches.
That was extended by defeating Paraguay by two goals to one in their opening game of this group stage. Crystal Palace duo Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma put them two goals up before half-time before what was an eventual consolation from Julio Enciso.
COSTA RICA PREVIEW: A FAMOUS RESULT AND NIGHT
As is their wont and their normal way, Costa Rica came into this tournament looking to frustrate the teams around them with solid defending and the occasional spring forward on the counter attack and they enjoyed a famous result in their opener.
It is by no means a good Brazilian generation or side but the Costa Ricans managed to keep the Selecao to a goalless draw, despite having just 26% of the ball, and will have hope of progressing into the knockouts.
COLOMBIA TEAM NEWS: UNCHANGED COLOMBIANS
A lot of Colombia’s best bits in attack came via the right-hand side with both Daniel Munoz and Luis Diaz performing well to support the evergreen James Rodriguez. There is a debate as to whether Luis Sinisterra will replace Jhon Arias.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Camilo Vargas; Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica; Richard Rios, Jefferson Lerma; Luiz Diaz, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias; Jhon Cordoba
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COSTA RICA TEAM NEWS: ATTACKING MIDFIELD
It was a surprise when Costa Rica’s leaked likely line-up for the Brazil game featured both Brandon Aguilera and Orlando Galo in midfield due to that being quite adventurous but their tenacity and intensity certainly helped the Central Americans.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Patrick Sequeira; Ariel Lassiter, Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Jeyland Mitchell, Haxzel Quiros; Brandon Aguilera, Orlando Galo, Jefferson Brenes; Alvaro Zamora, Warren Madrigal
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COLOMBIA VS COSTA RICA PREDICTION
As mentioned, Colombia’s current unbeaten record should mark them out as one of international football’s very best teams at the moment and if they continue to put in performances at a major tournament like they did the other day then they will begin to become a lot more widely discussed. Costa Rica are on the back of a famous result and will likely set up to try and frustrate Colombia so it may not be a hammering but it is difficult to see Colombia slipping up at the moment.
COLOMBIA VS COSTA RICA TIP: COLOMBIA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
