Copa America: Costa Rica held by Paraguay in a goalless stalemate, Peru sink Haiti

Costa Rica played out a 0-0 draw against Peru. Image Source:
Costa Rica played out a 0-0 draw against Peru. Image Source:

Internet Desk: Paraguay and Costa Rica played out a dull 0-0 draw in the Copa America Centenario today.

The Group A clash never reached any great heights at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida as the teams shared the spoils.

Jorge Benitez had the best chance of the game early on, but his poor attempt at a finish illustrated the struggles of both sides.

With men behind the ball throughout, Costa Rica were left to try and make the most of set-pieces and Bryan Ruiz’s first-half header was as close as they got.

Costa Rica were reduced to 10 men in additional time as Kendall Waston was sent off for a crude late challenge.

A draw looked most likely as both the teams produced an exhibition of missed chances. Paraguay controlled the opening exchanges and should have made the most of their dominance in the 13th minute.

Benitez was played in behind by Derlis Gonzalez, but the Cruz Azul forward scuffed his shot across the face of goal, and Paulo da Silva headed a great chance just wide from the resulting corner.

Costa Rica almost made Paraguay pay for the misses as Joel Campbell picked out Ruiz with a set-piece, but the captain’s header was straight at Justo Villar.

While Diaz’s men looked the more likely, Costa Rica settled into the encounter as the half wore on.

Neither team was able to penetrate to start the second half, though, and while Bruno Valdez threatened for Paraguay, he was unable to get enough on a 71st-minute corner.

A scuffle in the dying stages brought some much-needed life to the encounter and substitute Cristian Bolanos forced a save out of Villar in the 88th minute before Waston was red-carded for a late challenge on Nelson Valdez.

Peru beat Haiti 1-0. Twitter
Peru beat Haiti 1-0. Twitter

In the day’s other Group B game, Peru got off the mark with a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Seattle which saw striker Paolo Guerrero surpass Teofilo Cubillas as his country’s leading international goalscorer.

Guerrero, 32, the top goalscorer in the past two editions of the Copa America, headed home his 27th international goal in the 61st minute at CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.

The win was just about deserved for Peru, who created the better chances but struggled to break down a well-organized Haiti defense.

Peru looked to be cruising to three points but had a scare in the dying seconds when Haiti’s Kervens Belfort somehow headed wide from close range with the goal at his mercy.

The Peruvians now face Ecuador on Wednesday while Brazil travel to Florida to play Haiti in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl, the venue for the other game on Saturday, a drab 0-0 draw between Costa Rica and Paraguay in Group A.

The match kicked off in sweltering late afternoon temperatures of around 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) and the energy-sapping conditions contributed to a lacklustre spectacle.

Paraguay’s Argentine coach Ramon Diaz slammed the decision to schedule kick-off at a time when temperatures are known to be at their most fierce.

“It was crazy to play at the time we played,” Diaz told a post-game news conference. “I would have liked them (the organisers) to take into consideration the players themselves, they are the main part of the show after all,” he added.

“The kick-off times should be made with players in mind. I know there are commitments with TV and so on but the conditions took their toll,” he added.

Most professional club games held in Florida during the summer, including those of local Major League Soccer team Orlando City, are scheduled for the mid-evening when temperatures have dropped.

Asked if he had ever been involved in a game played in such conditions, Diaz, who performed in Argentina, Italy and Japan during his playing career said: “Never. I really think the players should be respected.