Brazil missed a string of chances and were left to rue a lack of quality in the final third after being held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica in their Copa América Group D opener in Los Angeles. Angeles Monday.
Brazil, who advanced to the Copa America after a series of poor results in recent months, dominated possession but lacked precision in front of goal with only three of their 19 shots on target.
They were frustrated by a resolute five-man Costa Rican defense that sought to contain their opponents and deprive them of space. This strategy paid off, even if Gustavo Alfaro’s men were sometimes lucky.
Raphinha had a great chance to score after collecting a long ball over the top from Rodrygo, but Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira quickly came off his line to snuff out the danger.
Brazil thought they had made the breakthrough in the 30th minute when a free kick was lofted by Rodrygo into the path of Marquinhos, who pushed it to the far post, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a long delay of VAR.
One-way traffic continued after the break and Lucas Paquetá rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike in the 63rd minute before a venomous strike from Guilherme Arana was denied by a fine save from Sequeira.
Coach Dorival Junior called on youngsters Endrick and Sávio in the 70th minute as Brazil desperately searched for a winner, but Paqueta fired twice in the final 10 minutes as the nine-time champions failed to break the deadlock.
Brazil’s all-time top scorer Neymar, who has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, cut a dejected figure as he watched from the stands.
Colombia tops Group D after their 2-1 victory over Paraguay earlier on Monday.
