Costa Rica vs Paraguay | Copa America 2024 | Pre Match

Costa Rica started the Copa America 2024 tournament with a shocking 0-0 draw with Brazil. However, after a 3-0 loss to Colombia and a 4-1 Brazil win over Paraguay, they now find themselves in a huge deficit in goal difference regardless of points. This should force Costa Rica into an aggressive game plan, knowing they have six goals to make up. 

The problem is Costa Rica have yet to score in this tournament and have 13 total goals in their eight matches thus far in 2024. Seven of those 13 goals came in two games against much lesser competition in Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis. 

The good news for Costa Rica is Paraguay have had defensive woes in this tournament and are already eliminated from the competition, so they may not see much improvement on that end of this fixture. Paraguay will also be without defensive midfielder Andres Cubas after he picked up a straight red card in the last match against Brazil. 

In their first match of the group stage, Paraguay allowed 12 goal attempts and surrendered 62% possession to Colombia. Against Brazil, they allowed 17 goal attempts and 54% possession. While Costa Rica have seen terrible possession and goal attempt numbers against those same two opponents, their game plan must change given the circumstances.

The Paraguayans allowed two first-half goals to Colombia and three to Brazil. They're clearly vulnerable early, and Costa Rica will need to get to scoring early if they plan to make up the goal difference.