Costa Rica beat Greeceon penalties to go through to the World Cup quarter-final where the Netherlands are waiting.
Thiofanis Gekas missed the decisive spot kick after the game ended 1-1 following extra time, Costa Rica taking the lead only for Greece to level in the dying moments.
Bryan Ruiz scored early in the second period, netting after finding a rare pocket of space on the edge of the Greece penalty area.
Oscar Duarte was sent off shortly after the hour mark after picking up a second booking and Costa Rica almost held on, only for Sokratis to net in injury time.
Michael Umana netted the match-winning penalty after Gekas’ effort was saved by the excellent Keylor Navas, Costa Rica winning the shoutout 5-3.
Costa Rica returned Christian Bolanos and Umana to the side that drew with England, while Greece kept Andreas Samaris in the XI after he netted as a substitute against Ivory Coast.
Bolanos skied the first real sight of goal after Costa Rica turned over possession inside the Greece half. Christodoulopoulos returned fire for Greece, dragging wide from range.
Both the main forwards on show, Joel Campbell and Georgios Samaras, were frequently caught out by the opposition defence’s offside trap. The assistant referees were busier than either goalkeeper in the first half.
Navas was eventually called into action, saving with his outstretched right foot from a Dimitris Salpingidis effort.
Samaras had the first chance of note after the break, sending a tame header straight at Navas, but it was Los Ticos who made the breakthrough.
Ruiz swept home after Campbell and Bolanos linked up, the ball eventually finding the Fulham forward on the edge of the penalty area. He left Osrestis Karnezis wrong-footed with a finish that was either precise or scuffed.
Costa Rica should have had a penalty shortly after going in front when Vasilis Torosidis used his hand to clear a cross with Bolanos lurking at the far post.
The Central Americans’ lead was threatened with the dismissal of Duarte, the centre-back shown a second yellow card.
Greece’s best outlet for getting back in the game was the left foot of Jose Holebas, who sent in a number of dangerous balls. Navas meanwhile had to be alert to keep out Torosidis.
Costa Rica got a little luck when Kostas Mitroglou was unable to control a cross and Navas pounced on the loose ball but the scoreline was rarely threatened until Sokratis netted with seconds to go, pouncing on the loose ball after Navas’ save fell at his feet.
Mitroglou almost won the game in the 93rd minute but Navas produced a spectacular stop to send the game to extra time.
Extra time saw Greece put on the pressure, trying to make the extra man count. They created some fair openings but didn’t put Navas under any real strain.
Costa Rica threatened on the break, Kostas Katsouranis sliding in to prevent a chance, but Jorge Luis Pinto’s side were restricted to defending deep and playing for penalties.
Randall Brenes came close to giving Costa Rica the lead again in the second half of extra time but his shot flashed wide, while a few forays forward floundered as Costa Rica couldn’t commit in numbers.
A five-on-two break in Greece’s favour was foiled by Navas but as penalties loomed the game became end-to-end, despite most of the Costa Rica side being out on their feet and the Greeks faring little better.
The deadlock couldn’t be broken without penalties and it was Navas’ strong hand to keep out Gekas’ well-struck effort that proved the difference.
Costa Rica 1-1 Greece – Costa Rica win on penalties
Ruiz 53, Duarte s/o 67 (CR), Sokratis 90+1 (G)
Costa Rica: Navas; Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana; Gamboa (Acosta 76), Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda (Cubero 66), Bolanos (Brenes 84), Diaz; Campbell
Greece: Karnezis; Torosidis, Manolas, Sokratis, Holebas; Maniatis (Katsouranis 78), Karagounis; Salpingidis (Gekas 69), Samaris (Mitroglou 58), Christodoulopoulos; Samaras
