BRA vs CRC, Copa America 2024: A fresh start for Brazil after period of turmoil
The HinduBrazil opens its 2024 Copa America campaign against Costa Rica on Monday in Los Angeles with a whole new look almost from top to bottom, with Real Madrid’s rising star Vinicius Jr leading a group that was waiting for an opportunity for a fresh start. After a heartbreaking shootout defeat by Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals at Qatar 2022, Brazil went through two caretaker managers as it waited for almost a year trying to lure manager Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid. It suffered defeat in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers for the first time, its first loss to Uruguay for 22 years and saw the end of a 58-match unbeaten home streak in the qualifiers, which led to its worst campaign ever with seven points from a possible 18 after six rounds. The Copa America will be the first time Dorival has had time to work extensively with his players, who face Costa Rica following a three-week training camp in Florida before taking on Paraguay and Colombia in Group D. With most of the attention on world champions Argentina and Lionel Messi, now playing in the MLS, Brazil will start its Copa America campaign without great expectations - something Dorival will be familiar with from his experience at club level.