The outcomes of Group D Copa America’s last two games did not surprise the group status too much.

At Levi’s Stadium, Brazil and Colombia produced a fairly matched game.

The Selecao were the ones who most needed points, thus they aimed to seize control of the ball as well as apply a lot of pressure on keeper Camilo Vargas right after the opening whistle and following a few missed opportunities in the 12th minute, when striker Raphinha scored a super goal on the free kick.

Currently on Barcelona’s payroll, the star searched for a long period before firing a shot, sending the ball straight into a dead corner, which drove custodian Vargas flying as far as he could but unable to save the goal.

Raphinha kicked a spectacular goal on Levi’s pitch.

But Colombia showed in the next minutes why they rank as Group D’s top squad. The squad of Nestor Lorenzo recovered control, aimed to retain more of the ball and plan an attack.

From a great rebound on the perimeter of the Brazilian penalty area, striker Jhon Cordoba made a good block and intelligently transferred the ball to defender Daniel Munoz who was sprinting down to face goalkeeper Alisson right in the last minute of the first half. Munoz assisted the home team in equalising the score just before the break, needing a risky attempt.

Munoz (No. 21) helped Colombia regain 1 point from Brazil.

With this result, both teams were qualified to pass the group stage, so in the second half, the game was somewhat cooler compared to the first 45 minutes.

The heat of the match mainly comes from the players’ collisions and conflicts on the field. The score 1–1 therefore remained until the end of the match.

The remaining Group D match between Costa Rica and Paraguay also took place extremely dramatically in the first few minutes even though the chances of both teams to continue before the match were almost gone.

Especially in less than 10 minutes of the first match, Costa Rica scored 2 consecutive goals by Francisco Calvo and Josimar Alcocer, especially in the goal to increase the score to 2-0, Alcocer had a situation of passing the ball. Overcame 2 or 3 opposing players before scoring a dangerous low shot to beat goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo.

Despite winning against Paraguay, Costa Rica’s journey at Copa America 2024 has ended.

Having a great advantage, Gustavo Alfaro’s team proactively ceded the game to Paraguay, thereby creating conditions for the opponent to score an honorable goal in the 55th minute by striker Ramon Sosa.

Winning 3 points against Paraguay but with 4 points after 3 matches, Costa Rica was still sadly eliminated from Copa America due to being 1 point behind the 2nd ranked team Brazil. At the top of Group D is Colombia when Lorenzo’s army got 7 points.