JUJUY: A fiery encounter saw special guests Costa Rica get back into contention on Thursday for a place in the Copa America quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over nine-man Bolivia.
Bolivia’s ability to snatch a point from hosts Argentina in their opener had thrown Group A wide open and with Colombia also drawing with the Argentineans they had gone top of the group with four points Wednesday.
But Josue Martinez and Joel Campbell’s goals midway through the second half brought the Ticos back into the equation after they had started off with a 1-0 loss to the Colombians.
The fleet-footed Central Americans posed their Andean rivals throughout and the Bolivians resorted to some meaty challenges which earned them a strong of yellow cards before they ultimately finished with nine men after red cards were flashed at Ronald Rivero at Walter Flores in quick succession.
The Costa Ricans will now hope to snatch a point off the struggling Argentineans in their final game as they bid to get a result that would likely secure a quarterfinal berth.
With luck their three points could yet be enough to land them a place as one of the two best third-placed teams at the event. (Agencies)
