Costa Ricans dispatch 9-man Bolivia

By foxsports
Published

Costa Rica defeated nine-man Bolivia 2-0 on Thursday, boosting the Central Americans' hopes of reaching the knock-stage of the Copa America.

Costa Rica, which is fielding a second-string team, went ahead through Josue Martinez's goal in the 60th minute and put the game away with Joel's Campbell's strike in the 79th.

Bolivia's Ronald Rivero was sent off in the 71st for using his arm to stop a goal-bound shot.

Colombia leads Group A with 4 points, followed by Costa Rica with 3, Argentina 2, and Bolivia 1. Each team has one match to play in the group stage, with the top two to progress to the quarterfinals, along with the best two third-placed teams in the three groups.

Costa Rica faces Argentina and Colombia plays Bolivia on Monday.

Costa Rica took control in the second half and should have scored several more.

Martinez gave Costa Rica the lead by putting in a rebound from a shot Bolivia keeper Carlos Arias failed to control. Campbell hit the crossbar minutes later on a free kick. Allen Guevara then missed a penalty in the 72nd before Campbell broke through for the second.

Costa Rica's David Guzman also hit the post seven minutes from the end.

Following Martinez's goal, Costa Rica players held up the jersey of Dennis Marshall, who was killed in a car crash last month shortly after Costa Rica's last match in the Gold Cup, the championship of North, Central America and the Caribbean.

Costa Rica and Mexico are using mostly under-23 Olympic-style squads in this tournament because they are not part of the South American confederation and are playing as guests. Their full-strength teams played in the Gold Cup.

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Lineups:

Bolivia: Carlos Arias, Lorgio Alvarez, Ronald Raldes, Ronald Rivero, Luis Gutierrez, Edivaldo Rojas (Alcides Pena, 67), Jaime Robles (Jose Chavez, 67), Walter Flores, Jhasmani Campos (Ronald Garcia, 79), Juan Carlos Arce, Marcelo Martins.

Costa Rica: Leonel Moreira, Johnny Acosta, Francisco Calvo, Oscar Duarte, Jose Salvatierra, Pedro Leal, David Guzman, Heiner Mora (Jose Cubero, 82), Diego Madrigal (Allen Guevara, 45), Josue Martinez (Cesar Elizondo, 81), Joel Campbell.