90min
·2 July 2024
90min
·2 July 2024
Copa America group-stage action comes to a close in Group D as Costa Rica take on Paraugay Tuesday night at Q2 Stadium.
While it's highly unlikely, Costa Rica still have a chance at reaching the last eight of the tournament, but they'll need a little help from Colombia.
The Central American country held on for an impressive point in a goalless draw vs tournament favorites Brazil before falling 3-0 to the in-form Colombian side. Costa Rica still have a slim chance of reaching the last eight, but they'll have to at minimum come away with three points against Costa Rica (while also marginally improving their goal difference as they currently have a -3 differential) and hope that Colombia take down Brazil.
On the other hand, Paraguay were eliminate from Copa America 2024 after their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil. Paraguay were the second team to be eliminated from the competition after Jamaica, and it was a rather disappointing campaign from a team that has talent in their squad with the likes of Julio Enciso, Matias Rojas and Miguel Almiron.
Here's 90min's preview of Costa Rica vs Paraguay at Copa America 2024.
Manfred Ugalde misses out due to yellow card accumulation / Kevork Djansezian/GettyImages
The young and talented Manfred Ugalde is set to miss the final group stage match as he's picked up two yellow cards in the previous two matches against Brazil and Colombia. Team captain Francisco Calvo is sitting on a yellow card and could miss the quarter-final clash if he's booked vs Paraguay and Costa Rica do the unthinkable and qualify.
Costa Rica predicted lineup vs Paraguay ( 3-4-2-1 ): Sequeira; Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo; Quiros, Galo, Aguilera, Campbell; Zamora, Madrigal; Contreras.
Andres Cubas misses out through suspension / Omar Vega/GettyImages
Midfielder Andres Cubas is the only player unavailable for selection for Paraguay as he was sent off late on in the 4-1 defeat vs Brazil.
Paraguay predicted lineup vs Costa Rica ( 4-2-3-1 ): Morinigo; Velazquez; Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Sanchez, Villasanti; Almiron, Enciso, Sosa; Bareiro.
Costa Rica will look to give this one everything they've got even though their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages are rather slim. At the same time, Paraguay will want to at least get a point before heading home and will also put up a good fight to earn a hard-fought draw in the final group stage matchday at Copa America.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-1 Paraguay