Copa America 2011, Colombia Vs. Costa Rica: Colombia Defeats 10-Man Ticos, 1-0

They may have three points and sit atop Group A, but it’s hard to imagine that Colombia are happy with their team right now. Facing a young and inexperienced Costa Rica team in their Copa America opened, Colombia was supposed to cruise. Instead they opened flat, were gifted a red card that should have jump started them and despite getting a goal, never looked particularly dangerous. A 1-0 win and three points, sure, but hardly the type of performance that has Colombians excited about their prospects for the rest of the tournament.

Randall Brenes went in late on a challenge, but it wasn’t just late. Brenes went in with his studs knee-high. The Colombian player who suffered the foul was unhurt, but the referee was completely in the right to show Brenes a red card for the reckless challenge. What was already a tough challenge for the youthful Ticos got that much tougher.

There hasn’t been a whole lot of action in the first half of the 2011 Copa America match between Colombia and Costa Rica, but Fredy Guarin and Adrian Ramos made sure that we wouldn’t go into halftime scoreless. It took 34 minutes for the first moment of true quality in the match, but Colombia have delivered it, creating a goal that will hopefully force Costa Rica to attack and consequently, cause the game to open up.

Guarin delivered what was quite possibly the assist of his life on the goal, threading a 30 yard through ball to Ramos, on the ground and through what appeared to be about four Costa Rican defenders. Ramos seemed almost surprised that the ball reached him, but knew what to do with it when he got over his split second of shock. He took a great touch to his left, going around Ticos goalkeeper Leonel Moreira and slotting the ball into the back of the net. Colombia are up 1-0, and it would be surprising to see them lose their lead.

Considering Costa Rica’s youth, it would be a shocker if they managed a point. Colombia shouldn’t have a problem leaving Jujuy with three points and sitting atop Group A. That would be a gigantic advantage for the team tht is looking to make its first major impact in an international tournament since finishing third at Copa America 2004.

Colombia (4-3-3): Martinez, Yepes, Perea, Armero, Zuniga, Aguilar, Bolivar, Guarin, Falcao, Ramos, Moreno

That sets the stage for today’s match, the only match of the day, between the Ticos and Los Cafeteros. The winner of the match will move top of the group, something that is crucial because the winner of Group A will not have to face another group winner in the knockout stages until the final.

It will be a challenge for Costa Rica to handle the attacking talent of Colombia, especially with the youth they have in their team. Their top players from the Gold Cup have gone back to their clubs and a young, inexperienced team is set for Copa America. Nine players without a cap are on the roster, making any sort of success in the tournament a very long shot.