Match 15 - Colombia 3-0 Costa Rica
Colombia crusied into the quarter-finals with a powerful display which Cost Rica had no counter too. It's not just that Colombia dominated possession and peppered shots at the Costa Rica goal, they also shut down an opposition attacks, conceding zero shots on target from Cost Rica.
Of course, Brazil had dominated against Cost Rica in the first game, but were held ot 0-0. There was not such luck this time. A single goal in the first half was the least Colombia deserved. In the second half the added a second on the 59th minute and then in the 62nd and the win was secured.
Match 16 - Brazil 4-1 Paraguay
The scoreline makes the game look like a comfortable romp for Brazil, but like the opening game scorelines can be deceptive. This was a match evenly balanced for things like possession and shots, but a key difference is in how many saves the respective goalkeepers made. Only two for Paraguay, while five for Brazil. In the difference, is the game.
The damage was really done in the last fifteen minutes of the first half when a Vinícius Júnior brace sandwiched a Sávio goal. From there it was uphill for Paraguay. They came out hard int he second half and got a goal back when Alderete knocked one past Liverpool's goalkeeper from long range. But a 68th minute penalty restored Brazil's three goal advantage and ultimately secured the points.
The result puts Paraguay out of the competition no matter the result with Costa Rica in the next match. It probably puts Brazil through as the six goal difference between them and Costa Rica is unlikely to be overturned even if the CONCACAF team win & Brazil lose their final games.
| Match Number | Teams | 1st Half Score | 2nd Half Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Colombia v Costa Rica | 1-0 | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| 16 | Brazil v Paraguay | 3-0 | 1-1 | 4-1 |
| Total Matchday Goals | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| Total Tournament Goals | 16 | 22 | 38 |
Tomorrows final group matches commence with Group A:
| Team A | Team B | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Peru | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Canada | Chile | Orlando, FL |
Argentina have already qualified, but will be looking to make it a perfect 3 from 3 in the group. Any of the other three can go through, though Peru's task is the hardest and least likely to succeed. A draw will see Canada through, but Chile need a win.
text by stuartcturnbull art by CONMEBOL & altered by stuartcturnbull