Costa Rica drew goalless against an alternative Uruguay, made up only of players from the local league, including an amateur soccer player. In San José, Brazil’s first rival in the Copa América was superior, although it demonstrated shortcomings in definition and a lack of rhythm to sustain an overwhelming pace.
Without Keylor Navas, who recently announced his retirement from international football, the starting goalkeeper was Patrick Sequeira, from Ibiza, a team that competes in the third category of Spanish football. The reference of the attack from the start was Anthony Contreras, a striker for Riga of Latvia who was on loan at Pafos FC of Cyprus last season.
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In training after the recent arrival of Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, the Central American team was superior, although it did not have the aim to put the ball into the goal. This was evident 42 minutes into the first half, when captain Francisco Calvo missed a penalty.
Finaliza el encuentro. Nos vemos la otra semana ⚽️
🇨🇷 Costa Rica 0 – 0 Uruguay 🇺🇾#FCRF #LaSele pic.twitter.com/Mw3zQblJcr
— FCRF 🇨🇷 (@fedefutbolcrc) June 1, 2024
The Uruguayans took advantage of the duel to show coach Marcelo Bielsa that they can be an option for the 2024 Copa América that begins on June 20 in the United States. With 11 minutes remaining, a historic event occurred with the entry of striker Walter Domínguez, known as the people’s player: it was the first time in 47 years that an amateur footballer represented La Celeste in an official match.
Costa Rica and Brazil will debut in the continental tournament on June 24. They make up Group D along with Colombia and Paraguay. Uruguay, for its part, shares Group C with the host United States, Panama and Bolivia.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
