The Costa Rica National Team defeated Paraguay in the Copa América. See the goals of Francisco Calvo and Josimar Alcócer against the Guaraníes

The triumph of Costa Rica vs. Paraguay
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Heads up, guys! Gustavo Alfaro was absolutely right when he said that the Copa América would be an amazing experience for the young Costa Rican National Team, an experience that, if it started well, ended in a better way, with the 2-1 victory against Paraguay, although the adventure is over.

The flight began with a great game in which the Sele’s kinder got the powerful Brazil mad, defeating Vinicius Jr., Paquetá, Rodrygo and Endrick, achieving a historic 0-0 draw against the Canarinha.

Then came the landing on land, with the fall in front of a very compact Colombia that has been working for years. Although it may seem strange, that 3-0 defeat was also necessary for the national team.

There remained the match against Paraguay, which was perhaps the most important of all, in which each member of the Costa Rica National Team wanted to prove to themselves that they could attack and even give themselves the pleasure of scoring in the Copa América.

It was the commitment, the promise and the reward. The offensive game was privileged, at a good time. And that long-awaited victory against a Conmebol team arrived.

Beyond the exchange forced by the punishment of Manfred Ugalde for the two yellow cards in the previous games, and that that position was held by Warren Madrigal, there were other variants.

Gustavo Alfaro decided that for this match Gerald Taylor, Joseph Mora, Jefferson Brenes, Josimar Alcócer and Joel Campbell would start. The attitude and desire were exhibited from the start, in an offensive Costa Rica like nothing seen until now.

Costa Rica vs Paraguay
The first direct shot by the Costa Rican National Team in the Copa América ended in a goal.
Orlando Galo’s taquito, Joseph Mora’s center and Francisco Calvo’s header: Goal! There were just a few seconds left to reach three minutes in the game and the truth is that the Tricolor’s first direct shot in this competition resulted in a score.

Soon, very soon, in the 7th minute, the cry for a goal echoed again in the Sele, with Josimar Alcócer, in an action full of vertigo, with a right foot from outside the area.

Patrick Sequeira did his thing again, flying and brushing his fingertips against a real missile from Julio César Enciso, because the Guaraníes also pressed and attacked.

A hit on Warren Madrigal is reviewed in the VAR and the referee’s decision is to caution Omar Alderete. But not everything is correct, because a very clear kick against Joel Campbell even earned a card and the Argentine center back Yael Falcón made a mistake.

As Gustavo Alfaro wanted it and as the national teams longed for it, this match is very different, with control of the ball, standing well back, but attacking.

At the beginning of the complement, the game became very abrupt. The Paraguayans were hitting hard. Ramón Sosa could have perfectly received the red card, but it came cheaply, with just a yellow card.

Later, when he decided to play, Sosa himself scored a great goal, directly into the upper left corner in the 55th minute. Sosa tried again, but Patrick Sequeira successfully intervened. The goalkeeper responded, but also asked his defenses for more concentration, who were leaving space for a desperate Paraguay.

With many eyes on him, Jeyland Mitchell looked good again; Joel Campbell worked in that role of engagement and sacrifice, Josimar Alcócer responded to the opportunity, Francisco Calvo and Juan Pablo Vargas were successful, Orlando Galo was as hard-working as a Warren Madrigal who came out melting.

Patrick Sequeira showed that he turned the page on his mistake in the previous match, as it had to be. His paralysis returned to the foreground.

It is enough to review the ball that the Costa Rican goalkeeper took on the line already in stoppage time, after a shot from point-blank range. That was also amazing for the Ticos and a nightmare for Paraguay.

The youngest team in the Copa América returns home, after drawing with Brazil, losing to Colombia and triumphing against Paraguay.