#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Netherlands Win Costa Rica 4 - 3 On Penalties

The Netherlands have booked their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup after beating Costa Rica on penalties following a goalless draw in Salvador.

Louis van Gaal's side triumphed in the shootout, with substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul making two saves to set up a last-four meeting against Argentina.

The game started slowly as the Netherlands dominated possession, but were unable to break down the organised backline of Jorge Luis Pinto's side.

Van Gaal's side could have taken the lead in the 22nd minute when Memphis Depay found Robin van Persie in space inside the box, but his shot was well saved by Keylor Navas while Wesley Sneijder hit the rebound straight at the keeper.

The Oranje continued to press and Van Persie turned provided for Depay for their next opportunity as slided a through ball down the left, but the forward's shot was well saved by Navas with his feet.

Costa Rica began to grow into the half and forced a scramble in the Netherlands backline when Campbell knocked the ball into the six-yard box, but Bruno Martins Indi cleared the ball before Bryan Ruiz could pounce.

The Netherlands showed pace on the break and Arjen Robben managed to win a free kick that allowed Sneijder a chance to threaten the Costa Rica goal. The midfielder fired a curling effort from 30 yards at goal, but again Navas as there to deny him.

After the break, Van Gaal's men got on the front foot again as Robben knocked a free kick in the direction of Sneijder on the edge of the box, but he could only drill his shot over the bar.

Pinto's men responded with a chance of their own as Christian Bolanos lifted a ball into the box from a set piece towards the back post where Giancarlo Gonzalez attacked it, only to see his header go just over.

Sneijder continued to effect the game and he delivered an excellent cross from a free kick, which was met by Ron Vlaar but he could only direct his headed effort over the bar.

The Galatasaray midfielder was then presented with another opportunity as Robben was brought down right on the edge of the box by Gonzalez. The 30-year-old's free kick bent over the wall but clattered off the post and Costa Rica managed to scramble the ball to safety.

Van Gaal's side upped the pressure and somehow the ball didn't cross the line when Daley Blind hit a ball across the face of goal, which was missed by both Stefan de Vrij and Dirk Kuyt with only a touch needed to score.

The ball then fell to Van Persie at the back post who fired at goal, but Yeltsin Tejeda managed to deflect the ball onto the bar and then over in a miraculous escape in stoppage time.

The Netherlands began extra time in command and Vlaar came close to finding the net with a powerful header from a corner that Navas had to turn wide of the post.

Costa Rica were looking to provide a threat and they believed that they should have been awarded a penalty when Marco Urena appeared to be brought down by Vlaar inside the box, but the referee waved away their appeals.

As extra time wore on the Costa Ricans began to look the more likely to grab a winner and Bolanos did well to work some room inside the box, before seeing his effort deflected wide of the post.
They came even closer moments later when Urena drove into the area and fired in a low strike that was blocked by Jasper Cillessen.

The Netherlands almost grabbed the win late on when Sneijder cut in from the left and worked himself some room, before bending a strike onto the crossbar.

In the last minute of extra time, Netherlands manager Van Gaal brought goalkeeper Krul on for Cillessen, as the match headed towards a penalty shootout.

Costa Rica went first in the shootout and Borges gave them the lead with a low effort into the corner, before Van Persie levelled the scores with a composed strike.

Ruiz took his country's next penalty and saw his effort saved by Krul, allowing Robben to give the Netherlands the lead with his well-taken strike into the top corner.

Gonzalez scored with his penalty, before Sneijder kept up his side's perfect record in the shootout.
Bolanos and Kuyt then both fired home from the spot, as the Netherlands went 4-3 up in the tie.

Umana had to score to keep Costa Rica in the match, but his spot kick was tipped around the post by Krul as the Netherlands booked a clash against Argentina in the last four.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Netherlands Vs Costa Rica (UPDATED)

The Netherlands go into their quarter-final clash with Costa Rica at the Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday looking to improve on a tiring display against Mexico in the last-16 stage of the World Cup.

Since thrashing Spain 5-1 in their group opener, the Dutch have failed to dominate in the way many expected, but efficient performances saw them through to a tricky tie against Miguel Herrera's men last Sunday.

Despite trailing in the 35-degree heat, Louis van Gaal's side played the game until the final minutes as they sought to wear their opposition down and it seemed to work as goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar saw them home with a last-gasp victory.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, have turned out to be the World Cup's surprise package. Save for their 0-0 draw with England, Jorge Luis Pinto's men have played some standout attacking football, having beaten Italy and dispatched Greece with a penalties win in the last 16.

Both sides are expected to be missing key players for this encounter, which could make for an even more engrossing spectacle.

For Holland, rumours have begun to circulate that Robin van Persie's inclusion could be a close call, with the Manchester United striker leaving training with a taped-up thigh on Wednesday, while Nigel de Jong is also expected to be absent because of a suspected torn groin muscle.

Costa Rica's chances of progression could be hampered by the absence from of commanding Oscar Duarte, who was dismissed against Greece in the last round. It was expected that Roy Miller would fill in to replace the defender, however he is due to miss out because of an injury to his left foot.

Pinto is now considering whether to bring in either Johnny Acosta or Jose Miguel Cubero to fill the void at the back.

Recent form

Netherlands: WWWWWW

Costa Rica: WWWWDL

Possible starting lineups

Netherlands: Cillessen; Vlaar, Blind, De Vrij, Verhaegh; Martins Indi, Wijnaldum, Depay, Sneijder; Robben; Van Persie
Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Acosta, Diaz Campbell, Umana, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Tejeda Valverde, Campbel, Borges, Bolanos

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Costa Rica Defeats Greece 5 - 3 In Penalty Shootout

Costa Rica have progressed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup after beating Greece 5-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout in Recife tonight.

It was the Central Americans who managed to get away the first shot of the night, with Bryan Ruiz sliding a pass out to Christian Bolanos whose effort from a tight angle flew over the bar on eight minutes.

Shortly after, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos beat two men as he cut inside from the left flank, before dragging his long-range attempt wide of the target.

Greece started to enjoy more of the ball as the half progressed, and Giorgos Karagounis came close to opening the scoring when he struck the ball from 25-yards out which Keylor Navas did well to handle just short of the half-hour mark.

Navas was called into action once more before the interval, this time to deny Dimitris Salpingidis's first-time finish at the back post with a superb stop to ensure that the scores remained level at the break.

The breakthrough came seven minutes after the restart when Ruiz steered a low pass into the bottom corner of the net with Orestis Karnezis left rooted to the spot, to give La Sele a 1-0 lead with their first real attack of the second half.

With over 20 minutes still left to play, Costa Rica defender Oscar Duarte was shown a second yellow card of the night to give Greece real hope of staging a comeback.

Following a couple of half-chances, the Ethniki turned the screw further as Lazaros pounced on a loose cross which he could only send wide.

Some fine play on the left by Lazaros created an opening for substitute Kostas Mitroglou, but the striker was unable to convert the chance.

Then, as the game entered injury time, centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos levelled the contest as he tapped home after Theofanis Gekas's shot on the turn was pushed into his path by Navas.

Greece could have won it with seconds remaining, but Navas pulled off another superb save to deny Mitroglou to send the game into extra time.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Costa Rica who came closest to breaking the deadlock during extra time as second-half substitute Randall Brenes volleyed narrowly wide of the mark minutes after the restart.

The Greeks could have then nicked it at the death but Navas, just as he did at the end of normal time, denied Mitroglou and it soon transpired that penalties were needed to separate both teams.

Seven perfectly executed penalties from both sides saw Costa Rica hold a slender 4-3 lead, but Navas's save from Gekas handed Michael Umana the opportunity to win it once and for all - and the 31-year-old duly obliged, stroking home the winning penalty to seal their progression and book a last-eight clash with the Netherlands.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Costa Rica Vs Greece

Costa Rica have caused one of the surprises of the World Cup by topping a group that included Uruguay, Italy and England.

However, Jorge Luis Pinto's side are fully deserving of a place in the last 16, and they will fancy their chances against a Greece side that only qualified for the second round in the final minute of their match with Ivory Coast.

Pinto is likely to keep changes to a minimum as he looks to maintain his team's momentum in the tournament.

Greece looked down and out against Ivory Coast on Tuesday evening before Georgios Samaras struck from the penalty spot in added-on time to help his team reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

However, the win came at a price as goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis and midfielder Panagiotis Kone both picked up injuries during the game, which leaves them as huge doubts for the showdown in Recife.

Recent form

Costa Rica: WLDWW

Greece: DWLDW

Possible starting lineups

Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa, Diaz Campbell, Miller, Gonzalez, Duarte, Ruiz, Borges, Campbell, Tejeda Valverde, Brenes

Greece: Glykos, Torosidis, Holebas, Karagounis, Manolas, Papastathopoulos, Salpingidis, Maniatis, Samaras, Samaris, Christodoulopoulos

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Costa Rica 0 - 0 England

England have bowed out of the World Cup with a goalless draw against Costa Rica, who have finished at the top of Group D.

Costa Rica almost made the breakthrough with just two minutes played, but Joel Campbell's clipped effort from the edge of the box floated narrowly wide of the post.

England were attacking the opposition goal soon after as Daniel Sturridge shot just wide before the striker fired off target again with a long-range drive.

Both teams battled persistently during a hard-fought opening half, and Costa Rica were inches away from taking the lead midway through when Celso Borges's free kick was tipped over by Ben Foster.

England were appealing for a penalty with around 30 minutes on the clock as Sturridge was dragged down in the box, but the referee waved away their vociferous appeals.

Roy Hodgson's side posed even more of an attacking threat as the half wore on, with Sturridge heading over from a corner and Ross Barkley slicing wide, though they failed to make the breakthrough.

England started the second half in much the same way as they finished the first, with Sturridge and Barkley causing the Costa Ricans numerous problems.

Sturridge had an effort snuffed out by the goalkeeper on 50 minutes before a Frank Lampard free kick from a dangerous position hit the wall.

Sturridge had a glorious chance to put England ahead just after the hour when he curled narrowly wide following some good link-up play with the bustling Jack Wilshere.

Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney came off the bench as the match entered the final 25 minutes, and Rooney nearly caught out the goalkeeper when his cheeky chip had to be pushed over.

Despite England's persistence up front, they were unable to bow out of the tournament with a win as the Costa Ricans held out for a point to make them the winners of the group.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Costa Rica Vs England

England may have played a more expansive game in Brazil, but it hasn't produced results. Defeats to Italy and Uruguay mean that no matter what result Roy Hodgson's men achieve against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Monday, they cannot qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

With little riding on the contest, Hodgson may give some of those that haven't featured in the first two matches a start.

Consequently, the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley could all feature, while it may be Steven Gerrard's last outing for England, with reports having suggested that the captain will retire from international football.

As for the Costa Ricans, they have been one of the tournament's surprise packages. With maximum points from their first two encounters, the Central Americans have already guaranteed their place in the last 16.

To avoid injuries or suspensions, head coach Jorge Luis Pinto is expected to make numerous alterations to his starting lineup, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell among those to be omitted.

Belo Horizonte was the venue where England, who have never previously met Costa Rica, were famously defeated by the USA at the 1950 World Cup.

Recent form

Costa Rica: LWLDWW

England: WWDDLL

Possible starting lineups

Costa Rica: Pemberton; Acosta, Miller, Diaz, Francis; Barrantes, Calvo, Granados, Tejeda; Urena, Brenes

England: Hart; Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw; Gerrard, Wilshere; Lallana, Barkley, Rooney; Sturridge

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Italy 0 - 1 Costa Rica

Costa Rica have progressed to the last-16 of the World Cup following a shock 1-0 victory in their Group D match against Italy in Recife.

Bryan Ruiz's header at the end of the first half proved to be the winning goal that sealed their place in the knockout stages and in turn knocked England out of the tournament.

Costa Rica created the first opening of the match when Celso Borges headed Christian Bolanos's corner narrowly over the bar.

Following a slow start the Italians began to grow into the match and Thiago Motta had their first chance when the ball broke to him kindly in space outside the box, but he could only fire an effort wide of the target.

Italy had a clear sight of goal on the half-hour mark when Andrea Pirlo's long-ball over the top was taken down by Mario Balotelli, but the striker's attempted chip over the keeper failed to find the target.

The AC Milan striker came close again just moments later when he latched onto Motta's flick, before seeing his powerful effort from the edge of the box beaten away by Keylor Navas.

Costa Rica were still looking to pose a threat and Gianluigi Buffon had to be alert to palm away Bolanos's stinging low drive, before Oscar Duarte headed over from Ruiz's cross.

Moments later Costa Rica felt they should have had a penalty when Joel Campbell was brought down by Giorgio Chiellini inside the box, but the referee waved away their protests.

With a minute of the half left to play Costa Rica took the lead through Ruiz, who met Junior Diaz's cross at the back post to head the ball in off the underside of the bar.

The Azzurri began the second half brightly and Matteo Darmian forced Navas to tip his long-range strike over.

Pirlo was struggling to stamp his usual impact on the game, but came close with a trademark free kick that was beaten away by the keeper.

Lorenzo Insigne should have done better when he was picked out with a pass over the top, but he was unable to direct his volleyed effort on target.

As the game moved into stoppage time Costa Rica almost grabbed a second when Randall Brenes worked himself some space outside the box, before bending an effort over the bar.

It proved to be the final chance of the match, as Costa Rica held on to claim the three points as they secured their place in the last-16, eliminating England in the process.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Italy Vs Costa Rica

Costa Rica, viewed by some pre-tournament as the whipping boys of Group D, sprung a major upset in their first encounter when they recorded a 3-1 win over Uruguay in Fortaleza on Saturday evening.

Now with four-time champions Italy in their sights, Jorge Luis Pinto's men can all but secure their place in the last 16 of the competition with a game to spare courtesy of a victory over their European counterparts in Recife on Friday.

The Azzurri, though, will also be full of confidence for this encounter, having disposed of England at the weekend with a 2-1 win in the heat and humidity of Manaus.

What's more, head coach Cesare Prandelli will have been boosted by the return to training of goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon. The 36-year-old missed the clash with England because of an ankle complaint, but could return against the Costa Ricans.

Full-back Mattia De Sciglio is also thought to be nearing a return to action, but the match may come too soon for the AC Milan defender.

As for Costa Rica, Pinto has been tipped to pick the same side that started against Uruguay, which will mean that Arsenal's Joel Campbell will operate as a lone centre-forward once again.

These two nations have met only once before back in 1994, with the Italians running out 1-0 victors thanks to a goal from Lazio centre-forward Giuseppe Signori.

Recent form

Italy: DLDDWW

Costa Rica: LLWLDW

Possible starting lineups

Italy: Buffon; Chiellini, Barzagli, Paletta, Darmian; De Rossi, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, Candreva; Balotelli

Costa Rica: Navas; Gonzalez, Umana, Duarte, Gamboa; Bolanos, Diaz, Tejeda, Borges; Ruiz; Campbell

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP: Uruguay 1 - 3 Costa Rica

Costa Rica have struck three second-half goals to register a shock 3-1 win against Uruguay in tonight's World Cup Group D opener in Fortaleza.

The game was lively from the start, with both sides probing into the opposition's final third.

The Celeste thought that they were in the lead after 14 minutes when Diego Godin poked the ball into the Costa Rica net from a free kick, but the referee judged the 28-year-old to be offside.

Just a minute later, the Paris Saint-Germain striker nearly came close again after a long free kick from Diego Forlan, but the ball was mishit and flew wide of the post.

Eventually, the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists broke the deadlock when Diego Lugano was dragged to the ground in the Costa Rica box midway through the first half.

Edinson Cavani fired the resulting penalty low to the goalkeeper's left to send the Uruguay fans into raptures.

Costa Rica, determined to get back into the game, had several good chances of their own, most notably through Arsenal's Joel Campbell, who fired just over from 30 yards, and Giancarlo Gonzalez, who couldn't quite stretch enough to head the ball in at the back post from Bryan Ruiz's corner.

However, the Celeste nearly doubled their lead right at the end of the half when Forlan sent a ball looping towards goal. Keylor Navas, however, was able to tip the ball acrobatically over the post.

The Central American outfight's fightback began in the 54th minute when Campbell struck past Fernando Muslera following a dangerous cross from Cristian Gamboa.

Just two minutes later, Costa Rica were ahead when Oscar Duarte's diving header flew into the Uruguay net, much to the jubilation of their fans in the stadium.

Things were to get even better for the Ticos, who had previously won just three matches at previous World Cups, as Marco Urena wrapped up the win in the final ten minutes of the game.

Campbell sliced the Uruguay defence open with a left-footed cross for the Kuban Krasnodar striker to roll home from a tight angle and kick-off more wild celebrations in the stands.

Frustration got the better of Maxi Pereira in the end, whose scything tackle on Campbell in the fourth minute of stoppage time earned him a straight red card.

The result puts Costa Rica top of Group D, with England and Italy to play later on this evening in Manaus.

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#2014FIFAWORLDCUP PREVIEW: Uruguay Vs Costa Rica

Uruguay will be looking to make the best possible start to their World Cup campaign when they take on Group D underdogs Costa Rica on Saturday evening.

Meeting each other in Fortaleza before Italy and England face off later on the same night means that the winner of this clash will be sitting comfortably at the top of the group.

Uruguay, considered dark horses by many ahead of the tournament, are looking for a similar campaign to the one they enjoyed in South Africa four years ago, when they reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by the Netherlands.

Luis Suarez's fitness has dominated the headlines throughout their build-up to the competition, and doubts still remain despite the Liverpool forward training with the rest of the squad this week.

If Suarez is prevented from playing to prepare for the matches with England and Italy, the South American side will be relying on the partnership between Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan.

Despite being considered as the outsiders in the group, Costa Rica are likely to approach the match with positive intent as Jorge Pinto looks to utilise attacking duo Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell.

Pinto's side enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing behind only the USA in the CONCACAF group which included a number of memorable displays.

Recent form

Uruguay: WLWDWW

Costa Rica: LLLLLD

Possible starting lineups

Uruguay: Muslera, Pereira M, Lugano, Godin, Caceres, Ramirez, Arevalo, Gargano, Rodriguez, Cavani, Forlan

Costa Rica: Navas, Mora, Gonzalez, Duarte, Umana, Diaz, Borges, J Cubero, Ruiz, Campbell, Urena

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