Colombia vs Costa Rica: Stunning 3-0 Victory Seals Quarterfinal Place for Los Cafeteros

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Colombia vs Costa Rica copa america 2024

Colombia vs Costa Rica: Los Cafeteros have thrilled the nation with their exceptional performances and outstanding results.

Securing a Spot in the Knockout Rounds

After two matches in the CONMEBOL Copa América, Colombia has not only secured a spot in the knockout rounds but also extended their unbeaten streak to 25 matches. This impressive run began back in March 2022 with a 3-0 win over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier, and much has changed since then.

A New Era under Nestor Lorenzo

In June 2022, Argentine Nestor Lorenzo took over as the head coach after Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Starting with a two-game winning streak, Lorenzo has guided his team to an unbeaten run of 25 matches (20 wins, 5 draws). According to Opta, this is the second-longest streak in the national team’s history, only surpassed by a 27-game streak from 1992 to 1994 (13 wins, 14 draws).

Impressive Performance Metrics

Comparing this streak to Colombia’s record makes it even more remarkable. With 20 wins and only five draws, the quality of play has been outstanding. Lorenzo’s squad is currently third in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifying standings and has claimed impressive friendly victories over top teams like Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States.

Colombia vs Costa Rica: Key Players Driving the Streak

One standout player during this period has been star winger Luis Diaz. Since his debut with the senior national team in September 2018, Diaz has scored more than twice as many goals (13) as any other Colombian player (with James Rodríguez, Miguel Borja, Rafael Borré, Luis Muriel, and Mateus Uribe each scoring 6).

In their second Copa América 2024 match against Costa Rica, Diaz scored his first goal of the tournament with a brilliant strike from the penalty spot. While Diaz’s performance has been as stellar as expected, the resurgence of James Rodriguez has been a pleasant surprise.

James Rodríguez’s Assist Mastery

According to Opta, Rodríguez has recorded three assists in the 2024 Copa América.  Since data collection began in 2011, only Lionel Messi has provided more assists in a single edition of the tournament (twice: 5 in 2021 and 4 in 2016). Rodríguez had two stunning assists in the first match against Paraguay and added a third against Costa Rica.

Chasing Records and Making History

With two more games guaranteed for Los Cafeteros, Rodríguez has a solid chance to equal or surpass the tournament’s unbeaten record. Meanwhile, the team is also on the verge of breaking Colombia’s record for the longest unbeaten run. These storylines add extra excitement for fans as they watch Colombia’s matches.

Chasing Glory and History

As Colombia pursues the Copa América trophy, they are simultaneously chasing history. Their journey is not just about winning but also about setting new records and continuing their incredible unbeaten streak. Fans have plenty to look forward to as the team aims for glory in this prestigious tournament.

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