Colombia controlled possession (62 per cent) for the second straight game and led 1-0 at halftime on Luis Diaz’s penalty kick in the 31st minute.
Los Cafeteros kept up the pressure in the second half and wrapped up Group D with a dominating performance in front of 27,386 pro-Colombian fans at State Farm Stadium.
Brazil was set to take on Paraguay later on Friday.
Colombia has won 10 straight and is unbeaten in 25 games (20-0-5) since losing at Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in 2022. Costa Rica did not have a shot on goal.
Costa Rica had the first big surprise of the tournament, playing nine-time Copa America champion Brazil to a scoreless tie despite being outshot 18-2.
Los Ticos found themselves on their heels again against another powerhouse team in the desert — and it didn’t go quite as well for the youngest roster in the tournament.
Colombia controlled possession (66 per cent) in its opening 2-1 win over Paraguay and dominated the ball early against Costa Rica.
Diaz had the first good chance in the fifth minute, just missing the crossbar on a header. James Rodriguez followed with the first shot on goal in the 20th minute, but Patrick Sequeira sprawled out for a diving save.
Diaz scored on the penalty kick after Sequeira took down a charging Cordoba at the edge of the penalty box. Los Cafeteros kept up the pressure, just missing another goal when Sanchez couldn’t get a head on Diaz’s bouncing cross.
Colombia had 71 per cent possession in the first half and kept control in the second.
Besides Sanchez, Luis Diaz is Colombia’s brightest star in this match as he is always a threat to Costa Rica. In terms of attack, Liverpool star had 3 shots, 4 Chances created, 2/2 Successful dribbles.
In addition, he is also very active in defense when he has 4 Recoveries, 6/10 Duels won
Sanchez made it 2-0 with a header off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Cordoba scored when he slipped behind Costa Rica’s defence and beat Sequeira from a tough angle.
And Colombia advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Friday.