Copa America: Colombia extend winning streak to 9, Brazil held by Costa Rica

Daniel Munoz scored in the 32nd minute and Jefferson Lerma in the 42nd as Colombia opened the Copa America with a 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Monday night that extended its winning streak to nine.

Colombia, which had 66 percent possession, were unbeaten in 24 games since a 1-0 loss at Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on February 1, 2022, winning 19 and drawing five.

James Rodríguez set up both Colombia goals in his 101st international match, which drew a crowd of 67,059 to NRG Stadium, mostly Colombia fans.

“The players are very focused,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said through an interpreter. “They are very humble. They know this is a game-by-game situation. Today we had a tough match, and they prevailed. They know what is the right direction and what to do, and the most important match is the next match.”

Julio Enciso scored Paraguay’s goal in the 69th minute.

Colombia will play Costa Rica on Friday at Glendale, Arizona, and Brazil on July 2 at Santa Clara, California. Paraguay finish Group D against Brazil on Friday at Las Vegas and Costa Rica on July 2 in Austin, Texas.

Colombia won the title in 2001 and lost to Argentina on penalty kicks in a 2021 semifinal. Paraguay won in 1953 and 1979 and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last two editions.

Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica on Monday night, with the international powerhouse inauspiciously failing to break through offensively in their Copa America opener.

Although Brazil controlled play and outshot Costa Rica 18-2, the Seleção was held scoreless by a defense led by goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira, who made three saves while recording his fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Brazil also had an apparent goal by Marquinhos disallowed in the first half after a lengthy VAR check. The team known for decades of sublime offensive play never got closer to a score – and never got a break on several questionable refereeing calls – in front of a lively crowd of 67,158 dominated by their yellow-clad fans at SoFi Stadium.

The result left Colombia on top of Group D after its 2-1 victory over Paraguay. Brazil has won the Copa America nine times, but its current transitional squad led by Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo got off to a discouraging start.

The draw was a monumental achievement for Costa Rica, the undermanned CONCACAF team with the youngest roster in the tournament but a reputation for overachievement and sturdy defending. Los Ticos had lost nine straight meetings with Brazil.