Costa Rica qualified for the quarter finals

Costa Rica has qualified for the Football World Cup quarter finals after knocking out Greece in a penalty shootout. For the first time in their history, Costa Rica managed to reach the last eight stage.

The Americas had a very tough mission after Duarte was sent off 30 minutes into the game. Costa Rica struggled one man down while Greece pushed on. A few minutes into the second half the goal came. Ruiz scored and the Americans were already celebrating the win. Even more determined, Greece tried harder and harder and for the second time in a row, the final minute was lucky for Samaras&co. Papastathopoulos scored into stoppage time and sent the game into over time.

The equalizer almost cost Costa Rica the victory. After defending for an hour in a ten-man formation, the over time did not look good for the Americans, but theirs struggle payed off and managed to reach the penalty shootout.

Out of the ten scheduled penalty shots, eventually only one decided who goes on. Gekas missed the decisive penalty for Greece with Keylor Navas making a superb save. Costa Rica converted all five shots and qualified for the quarter finals for the first time in their history.

They will face the Netherlands on July 5th at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.