COLOMBIA BEAT SPIRITED COSTA RICA

Colombia                            1
Ramos 45

Costa Rica                           0

Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy.

Colombia took a significant step towards the knock-out phase of the Copa America tonight after dispatching an inexperienced Costa Rica side 1-0 in San Salvador de Jujuy.

Hernán Gómez’s men went into the game knowing victory would hand them the initiative in Group A following Argentina’s disappointing draw against Bolivia last night, and few predicted anything other than a comfortable win for los cafeteros against the unfancied Costa Ricans.

The Colombians began the game as overwhelming favourites against their youthful opponents but Costa Rica, whose squad features nine players who have never been involved in the senior set-up before, started brightly as they looked to settle any early nerves.

The first real chance fell to Fredy Guarin in the 11^th minute when the Porto midfielder tested Leonel Moreira from 30 yards only to see his effort scrambled away by the rookie keeper.

Moreira, who was making his first appearance for the senior side, was called into action again moments later when he denied Ramos after the Colombian turned smartly in the area.

Colombia grew in confidence as the game wore on, with Guarin a constant threat in the midfield but Costa Rica battled well to frustrate their more experienced opponents and looked to create chances of their own.

Randall Brenes saw red on 28 minutes after his crude challenge left Luis Perea in a heap at the referee’s feet, and the momentum of the game looked to be with the Colombians.

Hernán Gómez brought on Hugo Rodallega to add to the attacking options but a solid Costa Rica defence continued to frustrate Colombia as they searched to break the deadlock.

The goal finally came moments before half time as Guarin played a glorious through ball into the path of Adrian Ramos who rounded the goalkeeper and calmly stroked the ball into an empty net to make it one-nil.

Costa Rica came out in the second half looking for a way back into the game but found it increasingly difficult as Colombia used the extra man to good effect to dominated possession with some impressive football.

Rodallega almost grabbed the second goal in the 54^th minute as his thunderous 30-yard effort had Moreira scrambling desperately across his goal to pull off a great save from the Wigan Athletic hitman.

Moments later Falcao rose unopposed in the area only to see his header thunder off the Costa Rican crossbar as Colombia threatened to run riot.

Despite their dominance Colombia found it difficult to break down a well organised Costa Rican defence as the game drifted towards its conclusion and finished without further goals.

Colombia now go into Wednesday’s tie with Argentina, topping Group A and know a win against the hosts would seal a place in the next round and throw competition wide open.


Colombia: Martinez, Yepes, Perea, Armero, Zuniga, Aguilar (Rodallega 33) , Bolivar, Guarin, Falcao, Ramos, Moreno (Gutierrez 69)

Costa Rica: Moreira, Acosta, Duarte, Salvatierra, Calvo, Guzman, Leal, Madrigal (Martinez 71), Mora, Brenes, Campbell (Elizondo 46)

Referee: E.Osses