• Costa Rica stole a point from Brazil in their first Group D fixture
  • Selecao only managed three shots on target
  • Vini Jr. struggled to produce against Costa Rica's stout backline

Brazil's campaign to make a third consecutive Copa America final kicked off tonight against Costa Rica, and the team could only manage a 0-0 draw against Los Ticos.

After struggling in their last Copa America tune-up against the USA, Brazil needed to come out hungry against Costa Rica in their first match of the tournament. Selecao had not lost to Los Ticos in their last nine matchups, and as the favorites of Group D, Dorival Junior's squad was fully expected to leave SoFi Stadium with three points.

How the game unfolded

Brazil seemed content to get off to a patient start, dominating possession and feeling out Costa Rica without any real push forward. Brazil's methodical passing and buildup kept the ball firmly out of their own half, but minus a few half chances and a penalty shout after Vini Jr. went down in the box at the 22nd minute, Brazil never truly tested Sequeira.

The first breakthrough of the game came in the 30th minute off a free kick from Raphinha. The winger whipped in a left-footed cross that was flicked on by Rodrygo to Marquinhos waiting at the back post. The goal would have put Brazil up 1-0, but it was later ruled offside after a lengthy review process.

Frustrations seemed to grow for Dorival Junior's starting XI as they failed to get past Costa Rica's disciplined backline. Both sides went into the locker room deadlocked at 0-0, and the opening minutes of the second half were much of the same. Despite Brazil's near-constant possession, they often looked uninspired and disconnected in the final third.

Paqueta came close to finding the back of the net with a powerful strike from 25 yards out in the 63rd minute, but he was denied by the woodwork. Then, in the dying minutes of the second half, Paqueta delivered a beautiful long ball over the top that the keeper failed to latch onto, freeing Rodrygo in front of the net, but the Brazilian elected to look for a cross instead of a shot.

When the final whistle blew signaling the final scoreline of 0-0, Brazil looked defeated.

Brazil now face an uphill battle to claim the top spot of Group D. Colombia already won their match against Paraguay in convincing fashion and extended their unbeaten streak to 24 games, and Los Cafeteros now look like a genuine threat to Brazil.