After the euphoria of Monday’s draw against Brazil, La Sele were brought back down to earth with a bump when they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of an in-form Colombia on Friday afternoon, thanks to goals from Luis Díaz, Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Córdoba. In team news, Costa Rica made one change from Monday’s goalless draw against Brazil. Young winger Warren Madrigal replaced Jefferson Brenes as coach Gustavo Alfaro opted for a more attacking-minded 3-4-3 formation.
For Colombia, fellow Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo made two changes from their 2-1 victory over Paraguay. Center-back Carlos Cuesta deputized for the injured Jhon Lucumí, and powerful striker Jhon Córdoba came in for Rafael Santos Borré to give his side a more prominent focal point up top. In front of a predominantly Colombian crowd at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Costa Rica got off to a solid, if not slightly cautious opening quarter, restricting Los Cafeteros to half-chances.
Colombia’s talisman, James Rodríguez, had the contest’s first clear-cut opening when his precise curling effort from the edge of the box looked destined to nestle into the bottom corner of the goal, before goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira agilely dove to his right, getting his fingertips to the ball and diverting it around the post. Minutes later, Madrigal had Los Tico’s first attempt at goal, shooting wide from the ten yards out after a teasing Orlando Galo corner caused havoc in the opposition box. Just.
