Alisson left powerless on one of easiest nights of career in Copa America opener

Of the 65,000 spectators hushed into stunned silence by Brazil’s goalless draw at the Copa America on Monday against minnows Costa Rica, none had a better view than Alisson.

The Liverpool goalkeeper did not face a single shot on target the entire match — Costa Rica didn’t register an attempt period until the 67th minute — and watched on helplessly as Brazil failed to translate its 74 percent possession share and 19 shot attempts into a goal at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Brazil assumed immediate control over Los Ticos, enjoying over 80 percent possession through the opening five minutes. Real Madrid forward Rodrygo carved out his squad’s first real chance moments later as he found space in the 18-yard box from a diagonal run and rolled his effort hardly a foot wide of the far post.

Alisson’s first touch came at the 13-minute mark, spraying a ball out to right-back Danilo and beginning an excellent distributive afternoon for the Reds keeper. The former Roma star completed all 15 of his pass attempts and showcased Brazil’s dominance of possession in the match, assuming possession just steps from the midfield circle on multiple occasions.

READ MORE: Four Darwin Nunez moments in Copa America tell new Liverpool boss Arne Slot all he needs to know
READ MORE: Liverpool’s Andy Robertson expecting first Arne Slot phone call after Euro 2024 heartbreak

The Selecao appeared to open its Copa America account in the 30th minute after an inswinging set piece was flicked onto the back post and into the path of veteran center-back Marquinhos. However, an immediate VAR review ruled Brazil offsides and continued Costa Rica’s valiant defensive effort. A potent long-range strike from Rodyro nearly unlocked the Central Americans just before halftime, dipping just beyond the crossbar and preserving the deadlock into the locker room.

While the Costa Ricans managed to record a pair of shots in the second half, neither offered any concern to Alisson. Alvaro Zamora lodged the underdogs’ first try, a 30-yard strike that was cleared well before reaching the Brazilian net, and a feeble attempt by Alejandro Bran was collected by the Liverpool keeper — the two shots combined for an expected goal tally of 0.03.

Alisson’s counterpart in net Monday, 25-year-old Patrick Sequeira who plays for third-division Spanish side Ibiza, managed to make a pair of massive saves after the 70th minute to preserve Costa Rica’s result. The first incident was nearly a Tico disaster, as defender Haxzel Quiros directed a close-range header at his own net, but Sequeira managed to parry the miscue and force the ball out of bounds for a Brazil corner, one of nine on the evening for the Selecao.

At full stretch, Sequeira then batted away a blistering strike from Brazilian defender Guilherme Arana destined for the top-left corner. While he only was forced to make four saves on the match, as Costa Rica’s low block defended valiantly, Sequeira proved massive in securing a historic result for Brazil.

Costa Rica will look for another miraculous result next time out on Thursday, facing a Colombia side in Phoenix that hasn’t lost a match in more than two years. Brazil, meanwhile, looks to pick up its first win at Copa America against Paraguay.