Group A: Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
How it happened: Second-half goals from Josue Martinez and Joel Campbell gave Costa Rica a valuable 2-0 win over an undisciplined Bolivian side in Jujuy last night.
Gustavo Quinteros’ side finished the evening with nine men after Ronald Rivero and Walter Flores both saw red within five minutes of each other late on.
The livelier of the two sides, Costa Rica took the lead on 59 minutes through Martinez. Bolivian keeper Carlos Arias could only palm Heiner Mora’s shot back into the danger zone, and the 21-year-old striker reacted quickest to knock the ball into an empty net.
With 20 minutes to play, Rivero was sent off after he used his arm to deny Costa Rica their second goal of the evening. Arias was equal to Alen Guevara’s effort from the spot though, keeping his side in the game until Campbell popped up in the 78th minute to kill the game.
Key player: Joel Campbell. The 19-year-old, who has already been compared to national icon Paolo Wanchope by some, posed the greatest threat to the Bolivian defence all evening. Ricardo La Volpe’s decision to switch the teenage striker onto the left wing in the second half paid off as Campbell’s mazy runs created plenty of opportunities.
Turning point: Walter Flores’ sending off in the 75th minute. Until the veteran midfielder was sent off for scything down Campbell in the 75th minute, Bolivia had a slight chance of sneaking a draw with ten men.
What it means: Hosts Argentina now need a win from their final group game against Costa Rica on Monday in order to progress, while a draw will be enough to see Ricardo La Volpe’s team through.
Next up: We’ve a Group C double-whammy tonight as Uruguay take on Chile at 23:15 BST, followed by Peru versus Mexico at 01:45 BST.
