Los Ticos Brave the Penalty Shoot-Out and Make History

World Cup ·

Costa Rica reached the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time in their history as they beat Greece on penalties following a frantic finsh to matters in normal time.

BY NISAR KHAN / WAQAR HUSSAIN

COSTA RICA 1 – 1 GREECE
Costa Rica won on penalties (5-3)

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

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Costa Rica 1 – 1 Greece

Bryan Ruiz (51′) Sokratis (91′)
Penalties: CRC 5-3 GRE

Sunday 29 June 2014

Kick-off: 9pm BST (UK time)

Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Round of 16, World Cup Game #52

A turgid first half saw Dimitrios Salpingidis register the most significant chance on goal, denied by the onrushing Keilor Navas who kept things goalless. There were half chances scattered around the course of the initial 45, but none would prove to sustain the conviction to threaten goal.

Greece were employing the counter attack as their primary source of goalscoring – as the Caribbeans looked to dominate in possession.

From the set-pieces Greece were posing the largest threat with Samaras’ header being thwarted moments after the interval. It would however be the Costa Ricans that opened the scoring.

Bolanos picked out the captain, Bryan Ruiz, to net his second goal of the tournament as his side-footed attempt bulged in from the perimeter of the box.

However, it would appear to be an unfortunate descent thereafter. Oscar Duarte was sent off, leaving the Group D winners defensively vulnerable.

In stoppage time, Costa Rica had just held on – but it would not be enough, as Sokratis got on the end of a parried shot to equalise and book 30 more minutes in Recife.

Greece were unusually attacking as extra-time commenced. Threatening and forcing Costa Rica on the backfoot, they did everything but score, forcing penalties.

There was some immaculate penalty taking, with everyone successfully converting until an amazing save by Costa Rica keeper Keilor Navas, emphatically keeping out Gekas’ penalty.

It was all poised for Michael Umana to score the final penalty that would seal the win, continuing the Costa Rican dream.

Netherlands now await Costa Rica, who will be touted as the outsiders to make the semi finals.

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Netherlands Great Escape Sees Them Through

World Cup ·

Giovani dos Santos’ thunderous strike was not enough to help Mexico shock Netherlands and reach the last eight as a late escape from Holland capped off a captivating encounter.

BY WAQAR HUSSAIN

NETHERLANDS 2 – 1 MEXICO

Klaas Jan Huntelaar euphoric as Netherlands thwart Mexico GETTY IMAGES

Mexico 1 – 0 Cameroon

Oribe Peralta (62′)

Friday 13 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Group A, World Cup Game #2

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Netherlands 2 – 1 Mexico

Giovani (48′) Sneijder (88′) Huntelaar (94′)

Sunday 29 June 2014

Kick-off: 5pm BST (UK time)

Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza

Round of 16, World Cup Game #51

Netherlands were heavily tipped to be the winners at the end of the match, while Mexico were hoping for a giant killing in a boiling hot Fortaleza.

The North American side were the brighter starters, while Netherlands dawdled in the heat, Layun twice shot off target and sent in a teasing cross which couldn’t find a man. The impressive Hector Herrera also shot just wide when he was afforded too much time and space by the Dutch defence. 

Netherlands appeared to grow into the game, as Kuyt’s cross was headed weakly at Ochoa by Wijnaldum. Veteran Carlos Salcido then tested Jasper Cilessen with a shot that was too hot to handle and Robin van Persie scuffed his lines at the other end after great close control. Oribe Peralta also shoot low at the keeper before we saw the first ever official FIFA Cooling Break to help revitalise both the players and the officials in the scorching temperatures. 

The final action of the first half saw Giovani Dos Santos fire straight at the goalkeeper as the Mexicans took control again.

The second half started as the first had ended, Giovani this time holding off a crowd of Dutch defenders to rifle in to the bottom corner from 25 yards out. Mexico were not done yet though, as Rafa Marquez and Peralta went close. 

We then saw arguably the save of the tournament, as Guillerme Ochoa superbly blocked Stefan de Vrij’s shot from point blank range. Wesley Sneijder’s miserable tournament continued, as he twice wasted good opportunities and Arjen Robben’s blast was saved superbly by the mercurial Ochoa. 

We saw another FIFA Cooling Break before Klaas Jan Huntelaar replaced a frustrated Robin van Persie and Carlos Salcido fired over for Mexico. The Dutch were pressing heavily but still inevitable to the counter attack with little over 10 minutes left. Ochoa then produced another unbelievable save to keep the Dutch onslaught at bay.

Wesley Sneijder, subject of another abject performance, silenced his critics and forced extra time with a thunderbolt into the corner from 18 yards out after a clearance fell to him. 

Moments later, 90 seconds into the 6 minutes of stoppage time, Rafa Marquez commited footballing suicide as he brought down a vibrant Arjen Robben after he had jinked away from a pair of defenders. 

Did Robben dive?

So then, Huntelaar vs Ochoa for the match. The Schalke striker coolly striking home to send Ochoa the wrong way and Netherlands into delirium following a thrilling finish to a greatly entertaining match.

Match breakdown

Man of the Match: Guillerme Ochoa
Flop of the Match: Robin van Persie
Possession: Netherlands 54%  Mexico 46%
Shots: Netherlands 14  Mexico 12

Key Headline: Dutch Recreate Man United Miracle Of ’99

We saw perhaps the most thrilling game of the tournament yet, as a resilient and energetic Mexico side ended up unlucky against a powerful Netherlands side that was ultimately too good.

Netherlands now have a favourable draw against either Costa Rica or Greece to reach the semi finals of the tournament, something very few would have seen prior to the tournament.

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