# Copa América Centenario Group A

Group A of the Copa América Centenario consisted of hosts United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. Matches began on June 3 and ended on June 11, 2016. All times are EDT (UTC−4).
The United States and Colombia advanced to the quarter-finals.

## Teams

| Draw position | Team | Confederation | Method of qualification | Finals appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance | FIFA Rankings | FIFA Rankings |
| Draw position | Team | Confederation | Method of qualification | Finals appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance | December 2015 | June 2016 |
| A1 (seed) | United States | CONCACAF | Hosts | 4th | 2007 | Fourth Place (1995) | 32 | 31 |
| A2 | Colombia | CONMEBOL | Automatic qualifier | 21st | 2015 | Winners (2001) | 8 | 3 |
| A3 | Costa Rica | CONCACAF | 2014 Copa Centroamericana champions | 5th | 2011 | Quarter-finals (2001 and 2004) | 37 | 23 |
| A4 | Paraguay | CONMEBOL | Automatic qualifier | 36th | 2015 | Winners (1953 and 1979) | 46 | 44 |

### Notes

* ↑ The rankings of December 2015 were used for seeding for the final draw, except for certain cases.

## Standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | United States (H) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Colombia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 4 | |
| 4 | Paraguay | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 | |
In the quarter-finals:
* The winner of Group A, United States, advanced to play the runner-up of Group B, Ecuador.
* The runner-up of Group A, Colombia, advanced to play the winner of Group B, Peru.

## Matches
### United States vs Colombia

The two teams had met in seventeen previous encounters, the last being a friendly held in 2014 at Craven Cottage in London, a match won by Colombia 2–1. Both teams had also met in two Copa América editions: the 1995 third-place match, won by Colombia 4–1, and in a group stage match in 2007, also won by Colombia, with a lone goal by Jaime Castrillón.
Colombia won the match 0–2 with first-half goals scored by Cristián Zapata and James Rodríguez. United States' manager Jürgen Klinsmann stated that he was "pleased" with the performance of his team, he also saw the penalty as the "major point of the game", a remark to which American player Clint Dempsey agreed. Colombia's manager José Pekerman recognized the competitiveness of their rivals, but commented that "we could have scored a couple more."
| United States | Colombia |
| GK | 1 | Brad Guzan |
| RB | 2 | DeAndre Yedlin |
| CB | 20 | Geoff Cameron |
| CB | 6 | John Brooks |
| LB | 23 | Fabian Johnson |
| CM | 11 | Alejandro Bedoya | 57' | 86' |
| CM | 4 | Michael Bradley (c) |
| CM | 13 | Jermaine Jones | | 66' |
| RF | 9 | Gyasi Zardes |
| CF | 8 | Clint Dempsey |
| LF | 7 | Bobby Wood | | 66' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 17 | Christian Pulisic | | 66' |
| MF | 10 | Darlington Nagbe | | 66' |
| MF | 19 | Graham Zusi | | 86' |
| Manager: ||
| Jürgen Klinsmann ||
| GK | 1 | David Ospina |
| RB | 4 | Santiago Arias |
| CB | 2 | Cristián Zapata |
| CB | 22 | Jeison Murillo |
| LB | 19 | Farid Díaz |
| CM | 13 | Sebastián Pérez | 86' |
| CM | 16 | Dani Torres |
| RM | 11 | Juan Cuadrado |
| AM | 10 | James Rodríguez (c) | 73' |
| LM | 8 | Edwin Cardona |
| CF | 7 | Carlos Bacca | 88' |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 5 | Guillermo Celis | 73' |
| MF | 6 | Carlos Sánchez | 86' |
| FW | 17 | Dayro Moreno | 88' |
| Manager: ||
| José Pékerman ||
* Man of the Match:
* Cristián Zapata (Colombia)
* Assistant referees:
* José Luis Camargo (Mexico)
* Alberto Morín (Mexico)
* Fourth official:
* Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
* Fifth official:
* Kléber Lúcio Gil (Brazil)

### Costa Rica vs Paraguay

The two teams had met in eight previous occasions, the last being a friendly in the Costa Rican national stadium in March 2015, resulting in a scoreless draw. In Copa América, both teams faced once, in a 2004 group stage match, won by Paraguay with a late penalty kick goal scored by Julio dos Santos.
Just as their previous friendly meeting, the game ended in a scoreless draw. Costa Rican manager Óscar Ramírez commented that it was "a two-faced match" and that "I would say we have lost two points". Paraguay's manager Ramón Díaz also though that his team lost two points; he was also critical of the hour chosen for the game, commenting that "I would like to take the actual protagonists, the players, in consideration".
Costa Rican player Kendall Waston was shown the red card in the stoppage time after a tackle against Nelson Valdez, becoming the first player to be sent-off in the tournament. Regarding the incident, Waston commented, "when I saw the red card I felt the world coming over me, because this tournament is very short and we all want to play".
| Costa Rica | Paraguay |
| GK | 18 | Patrick Pemberton |
| CB | 19 | Kendall Waston | 90+4' |
| CB | 2 | Jhonny Acosta |
| CB | 6 | Óscar Duarte |
| RWB | 16 | Cristian Gamboa |
| LWB | 22 | Rónald Matarrita | 49' |
| CM | 5 | Celso Borges |
| CM | 17 | Yeltsin Tejeda | 1' | 59' |
| AM | 10 | Bryan Ruiz (c) | | 78' |
| AM | 12 | Joel Campbell | | 67' |
| CF | 21 | Marco Ureña |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 14 | Randall Azofeifa | | 59' |
| MF | 11 | Johan Venegas | | 67' |
| MF | 7 | Christian Bolaños | | 78' |
| Manager: ||
| Óscar Ramírez ||
| GK | 1 | Justo Villar (c) |
| RB | 5 | Bruno Valdez |
| CB | 3 | Gustavo Gómez |
| CB | 14 | Paulo da Silva |
| LB | 6 | Miguel Samudio |
| RM | 10 | Derlis González | 83' | 89' |
| CM | 16 | Celso Ortiz |
| CM | 23 | Robert Piris Da Motta |
| LM | 21 | Óscar Romero | | 70' |
| CF | 7 | Jorge Benítez | 13' | 73' |
| CF | 19 | Dario Lezcano |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 11 | Édgar Benítez | | 70' |
| FW | 18 | Nelson Valdez | 79' | 73' |
| FW | 15 | Juan Iturbe | | 89' |
| Manager: ||
| Ramón Díaz ||
* Man of the Match:
* Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay)
* Assistant referees:
* Ezequiel Brailovsky (Argentina)
* Ariel Scime (Argentina)
* Fourth official:
* Yadel Martínez (Cuba)
* Fifth official:
* Gustavo Rossi (Argentina)

### United States vs Costa Rica

The two teams had met in thirty-three previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, won by the Costa Rican side with a lone goal by Joel Campbell. This marked the first time both teams faced each other in a competitive match outside of CONCACAF official competitions. Before the match, the President of the United States Soccer Federarion (USSF) Sunil Gulati was interviewed on the status of U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann, saying, "Results are what matter. Everyone understands that. Results of the last 18 months, overall, haven't been what we would have hoped for. Especially in the official competitions." Many pundits took this to mean that Klinsmann's job was in jeopardy.
The United States got off to a flying start, with Bobby Wood drawing a penalty in the 9th minute that was converted by Clint Dempsey. Two other first half goals were scored by Wood and Jermaine Jones, and the scoring was finished by Graham Zusi late in the 2nd half. Zusi's goal would prove crucial in the long run, with the United States going on to win the group on goal difference.
| United States | Costa Rica |
| GK | 1 | Brad Guzan |
| RB | 2 | DeAndre Yedlin |
| CB | 20 | Geoff Cameron |
| CB | 6 | John Brooks | 81' |
| LB | 23 | Fabian Johnson | 44' |
| CM | 11 | Alejandro Bedoya | | 83' |
| CM | 4 | Michael Bradley (c) |
| CM | 13 | Jermaine Jones |
| RF | 9 | Gyasi Zardes |
| CF | 8 | Clint Dempsey | | 78' |
| LF | 7 | Bobby Wood | | 70' |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 19 | Graham Zusi | | 70' |
| FW | 18 | Chris Wondolowski | | 78' |
| MF | 15 | Kyle Beckerman | | 83' |
| Manager: ||
| Jürgen Klinsmann ||
| GK | 18 | Patrick Pemberton |
| CB | 6 | Óscar Duarte |
| CB | 2 | Jhonny Acosta |
| CB | 3 | Francisco Calvo |
| RWB | 16 | Cristian Gamboa | 46' |
| LWB | 22 | Rónald Matarrita |
| DM | 5 | Celso Borges |
| RM | 7 | Christian Bolaños |
| LM | 12 | Joel Campbell | 46' |
| AM | 10 | Bryan Ruiz (c) |
| CF | 21 | Marco Ureña | 18' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 9 | Álvaro Saborío | 18' |
| DF | 15 | José Salvatierra | 46' |
| MF | 14 | Randall Azofeifa | 46' |
| Manager: ||
| Óscar Ramírez ||
* Man of the Match:
* Jermaine Jones (United States)
* Assistant referees:
* Byron Romero (Ecuador)
* Luis Vera (Ecuador)
* Fourth official:
* John Pitti (Panama)
* Fifth official:
* Gabriel Victoria (Panama)

### Colombia vs Paraguay

The two teams had met in forty-two previous occasions, the last being a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match held in Asunción, which the Colombian side won 2–1. In Copa América editions, they had not faced each other since a 2007 Copa América group stage match, won by Paraguay 5–0.
| Colombia | Paraguay |
| GK | 1 | David Ospina |
| RB | 4 | Santiago Arias |
| CB | 2 | Cristián Zapata | | 90' |
| CB | 22 | Jeison Murillo | 45+4' |
| LB | 19 | Farid Díaz |
| CM | 13 | Sebastián Pérez | | 58' |
| CM | 16 | Dani Torres |
| RM | 11 | Juan Cuadrado | | 87' |
| AM | 10 | James Rodríguez (c) |
| LM | 8 | Edwin Cardona |
| CF | 7 | Carlos Bacca |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 5 | Guillermo Celis | | 58' |
| FW | 21 | Marlos Moreno | | 87' |
| DF | 3 | Yerry Mina | | 90' |
| Manager: ||
| José Pékerman ||
| GK | 1 | Justo Villar (c) |
| RB | 5 | Bruno Valdez |
| CB | 3 | Gustavo Gómez |
| CB | 14 | Paulo da Silva |
| LB | 6 | Miguel Samudio |
| RM | 21 | Óscar Romero | 79' 81' |
| CM | 23 | Robert Piris Da Motta | | 46' |
| CM | 16 | Celso Ortiz |
| LM | 17 | Miguel Almirón |
| CF | 11 | Édgar Benítez | | 46' |
| CF | 19 | Dario Lezcano | 63' | 67' |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 20 | Víctor Ayala | | 46' |
| FW | 7 | Jorge Benítez | | 46' |
| FW | 9 | Antonio Sanabria | | 67' |
| Manager: ||
| Ramón Díaz ||
* Man of the Match:
* James Rodríguez (Colombia)
* Assistant referees:
* Kléber Lúcio Gil (Brazil)
* Bruno Boschilia (Brazil)
* Fourth official:
* Julio Bascuñán (Chile)
* Fifth official:
* Christian Schiemann (Chile)

### United States vs Paraguay

The two teams had met in six previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at LP Field in 2011, won by Paraguay with a lone goal by Óscar Cardozo. In Copa América, they have faced once, a Paraguayan 3–1 victory in a 2007 group stage match. U.S. scored first, once again from Clint Dempsey on a cross from Gyasi Zardes. It would be the only goal of the game, but U.S. would not win without difficulty.
Early in the second half, DeAndre Yedlin was sent off following two yellow cards in quick succession, giving Paraguay a man advantage for almost 40 minutes. However, the United States defense held firm, mostly due to the efforts of John Brooks and Geoff Cameron. Following a shock victory by Costa Rica over Colombia, the United States ended up winning Group A.
| United States | Paraguay |
| GK | 1 | Brad Guzan |
| RB | 2 | DeAndre Yedlin | 46' 47' |
| CB | 20 | Geoff Cameron |
| CB | 6 | John Brooks | |
| LB | 23 | Fabian Johnson | |
| CM | 11 | Alejandro Bedoya | | 74' |
| CM | 4 | Michael Bradley (c) | 58' |
| CM | 13 | Jermaine Jones | 87' |
| RW | 9 | Gyasi Zardes |
| CF | 8 | Clint Dempsey | | 49' |
| LW | 7 | Bobby Wood | 71' | 85' |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 14 | Michael Orozco | 78' | 49' |
| MF | 19 | Graham Zusi | | 74' |
| MF | 15 | Kyle Beckerman | | 85' |
| Manager: ||
| Jürgen Klinsmann ||
| GK | 1 | Justo Villar (c) |
| RB | 14 | Paulo da Silva |
| CB | 3 | Gustavo Gómez |
| CB | 2 | Fabián Balbuena | | 45' |
| LB | 6 | Miguel Samudio |
| RM | 10 | Derlis González |
| CM | 20 | Víctor Ayala | 81' |
| CM | 16 | Celso Ortiz | 12' | 54' |
| LM | 17 | Miguel Almirón |
| CF | 9 | Antonio Sanabria | | 62' |
| CF | 19 | Dario Lezcano |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 15 | Juan Iturbe | | 45' |
| MF | 8 | Juan Rodrigo Rojas | 70' | 54' |
| FW | 7 | Jorge Benítez | | 62' |
| Manager: ||
| Ramón Díaz ||
* Man of the Match:
* John Brooks (United States)
* Assistant referees:
* Carlos Astroza (Chile)
* Christian Schiemann (Chile)
* Fourth official:
* John Pitti (Panama)
* Fifth official:
* Gabriel Victoria (Panama)

### Colombia vs Costa Rica

The two teams had met in eleven previous occasions, the last being a friendly held at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona in Buenos Aires in 2015, won by Colombia with a lone goal by Radamel Falcao. In Copa América, they have faced three times, with Colombia emerging victorious in every single occasion, including the last in 2011, with a goal scored by Adrián Ramos.
| Colombia | Costa Rica |
| GK | 12 | Róbinson Zapata |
| RB | 15 | Stefan Medina |
| CB | 14 | Felipe Aguilar | | 66' |
| CB | 3 | Yerry Mina |
| LB | 18 | Frank Fabra |
| CM | 5 | Guillermo Celis |
| CM | 6 | Carlos Sánchez (c) |
| CM | 13 | Sebastián Pérez | | 46' |
| RF | 17 | Dayro Moreno | | 46' |
| CF | 9 | Roger Martínez | 41' |
| LF | 21 | Marlos Moreno |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 8 | Edwin Cardona | | 46' |
| MF | 10 | James Rodríguez | | 46' |
| MF | 11 | Juan Cuadrado | | 66' |
| Manager: ||
| José Pékerman ||
| GK | 18 | Patrick Pemberton | 83' |
| CB | 19 | Kendall Waston | 87' |
| CB | 2 | Jhonny Acosta |
| CB | 3 | Francisco Calvo |
| RWB | 15 | José Salvatierra | | 46' |
| LWB | 22 | Rónald Matarrita |
| CM | 14 | Randall Azofeifa | 44' |
| CM | 5 | Celso Borges | | 77' |
| RW | 7 | Christian Bolaños |
| LW | 10 | Bryan Ruiz (c) | | 78' |
| CF | 11 | Johan Venegas |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 8 | Bryan Oviedo | | 46' |
| MF | 17 | Yeltsin Tejeda | | 77' |
| FW | 12 | Joel Campbell | 90+2' | 78' |
| Manager: ||
| Óscar Ramírez ||
* Man of the Match:
* Celso Borges (Costa Rica)
* Assistant referees:
* Luis Sánchez (Venezuela)
* Luis Murillo (Venezuela)
* Fourth official:
* Daniel Fedorczuk (Uruguay)
* Fifth official:
* Christian Ramírez (Honduras)