By Patrick R. Anderson
It might go down in Costa Rican folklore simply as ‘The Save.”
Serial giant-killers Costa Rica restored CONCACAF pride with a stunning 5-3 penalty kick win over 2004 European Champions Greece at the Arena Pernambuco in the Brasilian northeastern city of Recife on Sunday, to punch their ticket to the 20th FIFA World Cup quarter-finals where they will oppose The Netherlands on July 5.
Costa Rica played their up tempo attacking style matched with sound defending, before opening a huge breach in the Greek defence in the 52nd minute, when captain Bryan Ruiz dragged a left footed grounder to the left of Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis from the top of the box.
Costa Rica 1, Greece 0.
Fourteen minutes later in the 66th minute, Los Ticos suffered a setback when Oscar Duarte was booked for the second time in the match, which forced Australian referee Benjamin Jon Williams to show him red. Costa Rica would play with 10-men for the next 54 minutes.
They couldn’t hold the lead across the line in regulation time, and defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos slammed a rebound into the roof of the net at the death in the 90th minute to seemingly rescue Greece.
Costa Rica 1, Greece 1.
But it was only delaying the inevitable as the giant killers Costa Rica, with victories over Italy and Uruguay in Group Stage play, were not done.
Thirty minutes of extra-time could not break the deadlock,
And in the ensuing penalty shootout, Costa Rica were perfect with their first four kicks, Celso Borges, Bryan Ruiz, Carlos Castro Gonzalez and Joel Campbell all scored. Greece were perfect after three kicks, before Fanis Gekas arrived at the 12 yard spot. And Los Ticos custodian Keylor Navas made what will certainly be known as “the Save,” parrying Gekos’ shot with his left hand away from the goal.
Then Miguel Umana stepped up for the decisive kick. And buried it, to the delight of his teammates, his nation and CONCACAF. Greece buried with Umana’s winning kick. Costa Rica 5, Greece 3 in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 full and extra time draw.
Costa Rica plays The Netherlands on July 5 in the quarter-finals. It was The Netherlands who eliminated fellow CONCACAF team Mexico 2-1 in the earlier round of 16 encounter.
On Monday, France plays Nigeria at 11am while Germany oppose Algeria in the next set of round of 16 matches.
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"Los Ticos" Costa Rica advance to quarter-finals of World Cup with historic win over Greece
