Costa Rica enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over a Bolivia side who wound up with nine men in a fraught Group A clash at the Copa America.
After a tepid first half that produced no goals and few chances, the game sprung to life when Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Arias failed to hold a powerful shot by Allen Guevara as Josue Martinez slipped the ball home on 58 minutes.
Arias came to Bolivia’s rescue seconds later when he saved a penalty from Guevera after Heiner Mora’s shot was saved on the line by the arm of Ronald Rivero with 20 minutes left.
As Rivero departed the scene waving his arms in protest, Arias twice saved from Guevera as he stood tall to block the initial effort before spreading himself superbly to save the rebound.
It made little difference to the eventual outcome as Walter Flores was sent packing for a late tackle on the lively Joel Campbell with 17 minutes left on the clock.
Luis Guzman hammered a free-kick off a post from distance on 76 minutes, but Campbell finished matters off in favour of the young Costa Rican side as he sped through the Bolivian defence to slip the ball under the exposed Arias.
Costa Rica are second in Group A on three points, a point behind leaders Colombia. They face tournament hosts Argentina in their closing group match on Monday and will secure a spot in the last eight if they earn a draw with the former world champions.
Bolivia must defeat Colombia in their final match to have any chance of progressing.