The Copa América group stage came to an end on Tuesday night, with Colombia securing top spot in Group D, while Brazil finished second.
Here’s what happened in Austin and Santa Clara.
Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Top scorers: Raphinha 12′; Munoz 45+2′
Colombia secured the point they needed to finish at the top of Group D and set up a clash with Panama.
While both teams struggled to mount skillful attacking moves in the opening 15 minutes, the atmosphere in the stadium worsened when Vinicius Junior received a yellow card that would see him miss Brazil’s quarter-final match.
But fellow winger Raphinha showed why he could fill the role when he stepped up to take a long-range free-kick and sent it straight into the top corner a few minutes later to open the scoring.
However, Colombia pressed hard to equalize and were rewarded even after seeing a goal disallowed for offside when Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz equalized with Los Cafeteros.
Despite some great chances that came for both sides, it ended in a draw in Santa Clara, with Colombia holding on to win the group.
Costa Rica 2-1 Paraguay
Top scorers: Calvo 2′, Alcócer 7′; Sosa 55′
Costa Rica finished the tournament in good form, defeating Paraguay to secure third place in the group.
Costa Rica got off to a great start and were looking to end their campaign on a high note. Juárez player Francisco Calvo stunned Paragauy with the first goal within two minutes, while Josimar Alcócer scored the second just five minutes later, putting Los Ticos in pole position and claiming their first group stage victory.
However, Paraguay managed to stop the bleeding, reducing the lead early in the second half through Ramón Sosa, halving the lead.
Although Daniel Garnero’s team were unable to regain parity and gain their first point in the tournament, any efforts were futile as the fate of both teams was already sealed.
