Lucas Paquetá and Brazil made a frustrating start to their 2024 Copa América campaign with a goalless Group D draw with Costa Rica in Los Angeles, California.
The West Ham United midfielder went closest to breaking the deadlock at SoFi Stadium, but his long-range left-foot shot cannoned back off the upright midway through the second half.
Paquetá was heavily involved as Brazil created, but missed, a succession of opportunities to open the scoring.
The Brazil No8 set up Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who fired wide, then sent his own shot and a header past the same left-hand post before half-time.
Marquinhos then saw his close-range strike ruled out for offside against the Paris Saint-Germain defender to further frustrate the nine-times Copa América champions.
Paquetá continued to lead Brazil’s attack and he set up two more big chances for his side in the closing stages, only for Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira to keep out Atlético Mineiro left-back Guilherme Arana’s well-struck drive, and Rodrygo to fail to convert after rounding Sequeira.
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães – Paquetá’s best friend in football – fired powerfully over as Brazil continued to press late on, but Costa Rica held on for a famous first draw against their illustrious opponents.
Paquetá now has 46 caps and ten goals for his country since debuting in 2018.
Elsewhere in the opening round of Group D fixtures, Colombia defeated Paraguay 2-1 in Houston, Texas.
Next up for Brazil will be Paraguay in Las Vegas on Friday 28 June at 6pm local time (2am BST on Saturday 29 June), followed by Colombia in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday 2 July at 6pm local time (2am BST on Wednesday 3 July).
The 2024 Copa América final will take place in Miami, Florida, on Sunday 14 July.
