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29 March 2024

Fifa World Cup 2014 Quarter-finals: Krul shootout saves send Holland into semifinals

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

The Netherlands advanced to a World Cup semi-final with Argentina by beating Costa Rica on penalties after a cagey, tactical last-eight battle finished 0-0 after extra-time on Saturday.

Substitute goalkeeper goalkeeper Tim Krul, introduced just for the shootout, saved from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana as the Netherlands triumphed 4-3.

Costa Rica defended deeply from the start and goalkeeper Keylor Navas, whose performances have played a large part in his country's run to the quarter-finals for the first time, was again in sharp form with a series of saves, while Wesley Sneijder hit a post with an 81st-minute free kick and Robin van Persie had a scrambled shot cleared off the line in stoppage time of normal time.

The game blew wide open in extra time as Marcos Urena had a chance to win it for Costa Rica but had a shot well saved by Jasper Cillessen, while Sneijder hit the bar two minutes from the end.

Netherlands 4 Costa Rica 3 (penalties)

Krul parries away Umana's shot to bring Dutch victory.

Netherlands 4 Costa Rica 3

Kuyt produces a clinical shot

Netherlands 3 Costa Rica 3

Bolanos gets past Krul

Netherlands 3 Costa Rica 2

Sneijder sends Navas the wrong way

Netherlands 2 Costa Rica 2

Gonzalez is also successful.

Netherlands 2 Costa Rica 1

Robben makes no mistake.

Netherlands 1 Costa Rica 1

Bryan Ruiz is denied by Krul.

Netherlands 1 Costa Rica 1

Robin van Persie scores despite Navas going to his left.

Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 1

Celso Borges scores despite Krul going the right way.

Now it's time for penalties

FULL-TIME (ET)

Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0

120+ Dutch switch their goalkeepers with Tim Krul coming on.

119" Sneijder hits the cross bar for the second time with a dipping shot.

118" Cillessen produces a great save after Urena beats De Vrij and fires a powerful shot while a Robben long-range effort is blocked at the other end.

115" Costa Rica get their first corner of the night after Bolanos weaves in and out of the Dutch defence before Vlaar blocks his shot.

114" The Dutch are offside again with Lens being the culprit after a fine passing move from Robben and Sneijder.

112" YELLOW! Huntelaar is booked for handing off Navas who needs treatment after the aerial challenge following a cross from Kuyt.

108" Robben's free kick goes beyond the back post and hacked away by a defender and from the corner Huntelaar flicks it high and wide of the near post.

107" YELLOW! Robben gets a free kick after cutting inside and clattering into Acosta who is booked.

106" Klaas-Jan Huntelaar comes in for Martins Indi.

HALF-TIME (ET)

Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0

105+" Kuyt floats a cross which is parried away by Navas.

105" Two minutes added to first period of extra-time.

102" Robben hits the wall from a free kick after Dias blocks his previous shot and is penalised for using his arm than shoulder.

100" Ruiz goes down due to an off the ball clash with Martins Indi.

98" Urena goes down in the penalty area after Vlaar breathes down his neck. No penalty.

97" Tejeda makes way from Cubero.

94" Navas receives treatment after coming off his line and crumbles under the challenge from Kuyt.

92" Navas makes another good save off a header from Vlaar.

FULL-TIME (REGULATION TIME)

Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0

90+4" Blind's cross which finds Van Persie is cleared off the line by Tejada before clattering onto the cross bar as Costa Rica survive.

90+3" Robin van Persie's free kick is hit straight at Navas who punches it way but the Dutch keep knocking.

90+1" Robben wins another free kick after Dias sticks his leg out and escapes getting a second yellow.

90" Extra-time looms with four minutes added.

88" Robin van Persie misses the best opportunity failing to get a toe in from close after a beautiful cross from Sneijder.

84" Dutch keep pressing with Robben dashing through and van Persie who hits straight to Navas before the ball is hacked away.

82" Costa Rica survive as Sneijder's splendid free kick from 26 yards hits the near post.

81" YELLOW! Gonzalez is booked as Robben is tripped on the edge of the area and will miss the next match if Costa Rica go through.

79" Dias heads away a corner from Robben.

78" Gamboa is carried away while Dave Myrie.

76" Dutch substitution as Depay makes way for Lens.

74" Vlaar heads a free kick from Sneijder over after Gamboa is penalised for a high boot.

72" Urena is creating opportunities for Costa Rica sending Bolanos through on the right there is no shot at goal.

70" Gamboa is sidelined after jarring his ankle following an aerial challenge.

68" Robben makes a brilliant run and is crowded out after van Persie passes the ball back to him.

66" Costa Rica make a change as Joel Campbell makes way for Marcos Urena.

65" Gonzalez goes close with a header after Bolanos floats a free kick to the back post.

64" YELLOW! Martins Indi is booked for an off the ball tackle.

62" Bolanos fires a free kick high and wide without troubling Cillessen.

60" Dias breaks on the left and pulla back a pass to Campbell who goes down before making contact with the ball under pressure from Martins Indi.

58" Robben drives at Diaz and brilliantlys flicks possession at the near post into Kuyt who runs into traffic.

55" Gonzalez blocks Van Persie who gets in behind the defence after being fed by Robben.

53" Sniejder blasts the free kick from Robben which is threaded to him smartly into the crowd.

52" YELLOW! Umana is booked after Robben clatters into him and another defence to earn a free kick in a dangerous area.

50" The Dutch are content to play deep testing the patience of the opposition.

48" Costa Rica are showing more attacking intent after the break with Bolanos flying on the right while Campbell attempts a cross into the box which is caught by Cillessen.

46" No changes at the break for either side.

HALF-TIME

Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0

The Netherlands looked the more likely team to score but were unable to break the resistance of underdogs Costa Rica during a goalless first half of their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the sides on level terms including one from Robin van Persie after 21 minutes, another from Memphis Depay and a third from a Wesley Sneijder free kick.

45" It has been a cagey opening half with Dutch continuing to dominate possesion.

42" Navas comes off his line to smother a pass from Robben to van Persie.

40" The corner is cleared into the path of Depay, who misses the ball the completely on the volley.

39" Navas makes another great save from the free kick by Sneijder which flies over the wall to the top left corner.

37" YELLOW! Junior Diaz is booked for using his arm after Sneijder tries to play in Robben.

34" Costa Rica threaten again form a free kick with Borges flicking it from the back post before Martins Indi clears the danger.

32" Van Persie concedes a free kick in a dangerous area after a foul on Tejeda but Bolanos' free-kick lands comfortably for Cillessen.

29" Navas pulls off another superb save with his right boot denying Depay who is played in beautifully by Van Persie.

28" Borges tries to steer a Bolanos' free-kick towards goa.

26" Dutch are creating more opportunities with Kuyt sending another quality ball but van Persie has strayed offside.

24" Depay is flagged offside as he follows a neat little chip into the box by Sneijder.

22" Robin van Persie brings the game to life by firing a rock which is saved by Navas who also blocks a tame attempt by Sneijder from the rebound.

20" Costa Rica are making some forays from the right through Campbell.

18" Costa Rica have slowed the tempo of the game as they see more of the ball.

16" Borges burst through the middle after latching onto a loose pass from De Vrij before Wijnaldum clears the danger.

14" Depay and Van Persie looks to break before being foiled by a clever tackle from Acosta.

12" Depay is stopped by an excellent sliding tackle after attacking from the left.

10" Dutch are enjoying 77% possession in the opening exchanges.

8" Robben bursts through on the right flank but Gonzalez comes across well to clear behind for a corner which comes to nothing.

6" Robben is looking dangerous swinging to Robin van Persie who is flagged offside.

4" Bolanos is felled by a clumsy challenge from De Vrij to earn a free kick which is overhit for a goal kick.

2" Dutch enjoying early possession getting a feel of the ball.

1" Uamana is forced to make a clearance as the Dutch come out flying out from kick-off with Robben instantly racing through the middle.

Costa Rica get us under way in the final quarter-final.

The Netherlands included youthful striker Memphis Depay and central defender Bruno Martins Indi in their starting line-up for their World Cup quarter-final against Costa Rica leaving guessing what system they intend to use at the Fonte Nova arena on Saturday.

Costa Rica named Johnny Acosta to fill in for suspended Oscar Duarte in the only change from the side that defeated Greece on penalties in the last-16.

Martins Indi returns as one of three center backs while Depay is selected ahead of left back Paul Verhaegh in two changes to the Dutch team after squeezing through against Mexico in the previous round.

The Dutch could now play a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formation with either Daley Blind or Dirk Kuyt taking the role of injured midfield hardman Nigel de Jong.

The 20-year-old Depay could be on the left of the attack alongside Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben or used in a wing back role as coach Louis van Gaal kept both his opponents and observers in the dark as to his intentions.

De Jong missed out after suffering a groin injury in the opening minutes of the last Dutch game.

TEAMS

Teams for Saturday's 2014 World Cup quarter final match between Netherlands and Costa Rica at the Fonte Nova arena, Salvador.

Netherlands: 1-Jasper Cillessen; 3-Stefan de Vrij, 2-Ron Vlaar, 4-Bruno Martins Indi, 15-Dirk Kuyt, 5-Daley Blind; 11-Arjen Robben, 20-Georginio Wijnaldum, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 9-Robin van Persie, 21-Memphis Depay

Substitutes: 6-Nigel de Jong, 7-Daryl Janmaat, 8-Jonathan de Guzman, 12-Paul Verhaegh, 13-Joel Veltman, 14-Terence Kongolo, 16-Jordy Clasie, 17-Jeremain Lens, 18-Leroy Fer, 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 22-Michel Vorm, 23-Tim Krul

Costa Rica: 1-Keylor Navas; 16-Cristian Gamboa, 4-Michael Umana, 3-Giancarlo Gonzalez, 2-Johnny Acosta, 15-Junior Diaz; 7-Christian Bolanos, 17-Yeltsin Tejeda, 5-Celso Borges; 10-Bryan Ruiz; 9-Joel Campbell

Substitutes: 8-Dave Myrie, 11-Michael Barrantes, 12-Waylon Francis, 13-Oscar Esteban Granados, 14-Randall Brenes, 18-Patrick Pemberton, 20-Diego Calvo, 21-Marco Urena, 22-Jose Miguel Cubero, 23-Daniel Cambronero

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

PREVIEW

The Netherlands start as firm favourites for their World Cup quarter-final against Costa Rica on Saturday but will take nothing for granted when they meet the tournament's surprise package, who have already seen off three former world champions.

After finishing above England, Italy and Uruguay in Group D, Costa Rica are seeking to become the first team from the CONCACAF region, the confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean nations, to reach the World Cup semi-finals since the United States at the first edition in 1930.

The Netherlands had a last-gasp escape in the previous round, scoring twice in the final moments to beat Mexico, and forward Arjen Robben says his side will not be taking their opponents lightly at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador.

"Costa Rica have a very good team, they have already proved that in their group, which was very tough," he told Fifa.com.

"They've been really impressive and we'll have to prepare very well if we're going to beat them."

Despite Costa Rica's impressive performances, many observers believe the Netherlands have too much firepower for them after scoring 12 goals in their four wins in Brazil so far.

Robben, Wesley Sneijder and captain Robin van Persie present a fearsome attacking trio and showed how invaluable experience is when they did not panic despite being on the cusp of elimination against Mexico.

However, they must replace hard man Nigel de Jong in midfield after he suffered a groin injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the World Cup.

While coach Louis van Gaal has played his cards close to his chest, speculation continues on whether Daley Blind will be moved from left back to central midfield or Jonathan de Guzman or Jordy Clasie come in for De Jong.

Costa Rica must contend with the absence of utility back Roy Miller and the suspended Oscar Duarte but hope goalkeeper Keylor Navas, hero of their shootout triumph over Greece in the previous round, will recover from the shoulder injury that curtailed his ability to train this week.

The performance of their defensive unit has been a major part of their success in Brazil. Costa Rica have conceded only twice at the tournament - one of the goals from a penalty.

But any chance of success probably rests on the attacking prowess of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz, who is well known to the Dutch having spent two seasons at Twente Enschede and the last six months on loan at PSV Eindhoven.

"Bryan is very quick and sharp, we'll have to watch him carefully," Dutch defender Ron Vlaar told reporters.