Copa America 2024 Group Stage
3 July, 2024 - Indian Date
Q2 Stadium
MATCH TIMES
India
06:30 AM
UAE
05:00 AM
Saudi Arabia
4:00 AM
FULL TIME
Costa Rica possible starting lineup: P. Sequeira; Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo; Quiros, Galo, Brenes, Lassiter; Zamora, Campbell; Contreras
Paraguay possible starting lineup: Morinigo; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Caballero, Villasanti; Bobadilla, Enciso, Sosa; Romero
Team Previews
Costa Rica faces a crucial match against Paraguay at Q2 Stadium, needing a win and some favorable results to progress to the Copa America quarter-finals for the first time since 2004. After a promising start to the tournament, Costa Rica faltered with a 3-0 loss to Colombia, leaving them in third place in Group D with one point. Paraguay, officially eliminated after a 4-1 defeat to Brazil, sits at the bottom without any points.
Costa Rica’s defensive stability crumbled against Colombia, with Luis Diaz's penalty ending their four-match clean sheet streak. The Costa Ricans need not only a win but also for Brazil to lose to Colombia, coupled with a five-goal swing to advance. Strikingly, they haven't managed a shot on target in this tournament yet and risk finishing winless for only the second time since 1997.
Historically, Costa Rica has shown resilience in final group fixtures, losing only once in the last match of a Copa America group stage this century. They remain unbeaten in their last three encounters with Paraguay, the most recent two ending in goalless draws.
For Paraguay, this tournament has been a struggle, particularly on American soil where they have never won a Copa America fixture. Conceding six goals in two matches, Paraguay faces an exit from the group stage in the US for the first time since 2016. They have struggled to come back after conceding first, a trend continuing since their 2021 opener against Bolivia.
Paraguay manager Daniel Garnero aims to avoid a third successive defeat, a scenario not seen since late 2022 to early 2023. The last Paraguayan victory over Costa Rica dates back to 2010, though they did win their only Copa America clash against them in 2004. Both teams face a critical challenge, with Costa Rica seeking a rare advancement and Paraguay looking to salvage pride.