In Group C of the Copa América, Costa Rica and Panama are in a fierce battle. Costa Rica is in a worrying situation, with star goalkeeper Keiro Narvaez out of action due to injury, which has dealt a huge blow to their defense. Panama, on the other hand, won the third place in the recent North and Central American and Caribbean Nations League, and in the last seven matches against Costa Rica, they have won five, drawn one and lost one, so the underdogs seem to favor Panama. (Live on myTV SUPER at 8:30am on Tuesday)
The two teams in this match are old rivals of each other, having been in the same group in the CONCACAF A League. This tournament is both like the UEFA Nations League and a national team warm-up game elevated to a tournament. Panama won both meetings with Costa Rica and managed to advance to the final week, eventually winning third place. In the last seven meetings between the two sides, Panama has the upper hand with five wins.
Costa Rica manager Luis Ferrando has been criticized for his tactical confusion and has selected 100 players since taking over, with only four players with more than 60 national team appearances on their record and 16 with less than 10 national team appearances. The players have not been able to adapt and master the team's style of play, and apart from the warm-up match against Nigeria before last year's World Cup, they have never scored in the first half in the following seven matches, losing five of them. The absence of Keirona Vas due to injury has further weakened Costa Rica's strength.
