Ticos book quarterfinal showdown with Dutch

                Costa Rica earned the right to face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals following a dramatic 5-3  penalty shootout victory over Greece in the first World Cup meeting between the two teams. Costa Rica faced off with Greece in the fourth game of the round of 16 today 29/06/2014 at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife for the right to play the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. The Dutch had done their part earlier in the day as they survived a scare against a tough Mexican team to prevail 2-1 with two late goals from Sneijder and Huntelaar. The Costa Ricans were playing in the second stage of the competition for the first time since they had previously done so back at the 1990 World Cup. For the Greeks however, this was the first time that they had reached this far at a World Cup, having failed to get out of the group stages in their previous appearances in 1994 and 2010. It was the Greeks who had the first chance of the game as a shot from Lazaros following a free kick from Karagounis went too high. A few minutes later Gamboa of Costa Rica found space on the right but his effort was just wide. 

                 In the 14^th minute the Greeks won a corner which was taken by Karagounis, but the Europeans couldn’t take advantage and the score remained at 0-0. The Costa Ricans would then have a corner of their own but Karagounis would bring down Campbell in the area and the Central Americans won a free kick. The diving header from Borges following the set play would go just wide though. In the 28^th minute a long range effort from Karagounis following a great build up in the Costa Rican half was well saved by Navas in the Costa Rican goal. In the 36^th minute Samaris became the first player in the referee’s book following a challenge on Campbell. Moments later the Costa Rican goalkeeper Navas had to come to his team’s aid again to stop an attempt from Salpingidis with his right leg as the ball went behind for a corner. The Greeks unfortunately couldn’t take advantage. In the 42^nd minute Duarte of Costa Rica was booked following a challenge on Lazaros. The ensuing free kick was well read by Navas who had no problems catching it. There was not much action after this as both teams went in at the interval with the scores tied at 0-0.

                 At the resumption the Greeks won an early free kick in the Costa Rican half but Samaras' header following the initial shot was well caught by Navas. In the 48^th minute Tejeda would find himself in the referee’s book following a challenge on Karagounis. Soon though, it would be the Costa Ricans who took the lead as  Campbell played a ball to Bolanos who cut inside to find Ruiz whose shot trickled past the stunned Greek goalkeeper Karzenis who remained firmly planted on his feet as the ball hit the back of the net. 1-0 Costa Rica. In the 58^th the Greeks made a substitution as Mitroglou replaced Samaris. The Costa Ricans would soon follow suit as Tejeda was replaced by Cubero. Costa Rica would soon find themselves a man down though as Duarte was expelled from the match after receiving his second yellow card following a terrible challenge on a Chovelas.  Another Greek substitution followed as Gekas replaced Salpingidis in the 69th minute. Manolas of Greece would then be booked by the referee after a poor challenge on Campbell. Unfortunately the Costa Ricans couldn’t capitalize on the ensuing free kick opportunity.

                Another Costa Rican substitution would follow as Acosta replaced Gamboa in the 77^th minute. The Greeks would then replace Maniatis with Katsouranis in an effort to revive their fleeting World Cup fortunes. In the 82^nd minute the Greeks won a free kick but Manolas’ header following Cholevas’ delivery went over the bar. Costa Rica would then make another substitution in the 83^rd as Brenes replaced Bolanos.  In the 90^th minute Costa Rican goalie Navas would get booked for time wasting as the Greeks tried to come back in the game. The Greeks however would soon be on level terms as Sokritis would give the Europeans a lifeline with a stoppage time goal following a save from the initial shot from Gekas. At the end of regulation time the score was 1-1 and the game was now headed for extra time.

                  It was the Greeks started more promising against the ten-man Costa Ricans at the start of extra time as they dominated the ball-possession and did more of the attacking. They would win a corner in the 96^th minute but the effort was wasted and the Costa Ricans hung on. The Greeks would soon win a free kick following a challenge on Samaras. The ensuing effort was wasted though as the Costa Rican defense put it out for a corner. The opportunity was squandered as Mitroglou committed a foul. At the end of the first 15 minute period the score was still tied at 1-1. In the second period, a promising Greek build up was quickly foiled by Navas as the Costa Rican custodian kept his team in the game with a timely save. Costa Rica would then win a free kick in the 110^th minute but Gonzalez’s acrobatic effort went off target. Five minutes later a potentially dangerous cross from the Greeks was well held by Navas. A Greek corner soon followed but the opportunity was wasted. Navas would then come to the Costa Rican aid in the 119^th minute to deny Mitroglou from close range. At the end of extra time the teams couldn’t be separated so it was now down to penalties. Borges was up first for the Costa Ricans and he brilliantly struck his spot kick to put his team 1-0 upin the shootout. Mitroglou would soon level the scores for the Greeks. Ruiz would then make it 2-1 for Costa Rica but Lazarus would make it 2-2. Gonzalez would then put the Costa Ricans 3-2 in front. Holevas would then put the Greeks level with his attempt. Joel Campbell would then make it 4-3 for Costa Rica. Gekas would then have his effort blocked by Navas. It was then left to Umana to convert his kick and the number four made no mistake as the Ticos booked a quarterfinal showdown with the Dutch on Friday.