Costa Rica’s wonderful World Cup journey came to an end on Saturday night as they were beaten on penalties by Holland.
The Dutch were clear favourites going in to the tie, but Jorge Luis Pinto’s side have shown fantastic resolve and character during the tournament so far, and that would continue in Salvador.
The 90 minutes of normal time was pretty ordinary to say the least, Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas producing another world class display behind his disciplined and solid defence.
Wesley Sneijder hit the wood work for the Dutch in normal time while Robin Van Persie also had a great chance but was thwarted by Navas.
It was in extra-time that the game came alive.
The Dutch pressure grew in extra-time, Navas again producing save after save while a swerving, dipping effort from Sneijder rocked the Costa Rican cross bar.
As time ticked by in the second period of extra time, Costa Rica began to offer a threat on the break and arguably produced the best chance, a fine twisting run from Marcos Urena forced Cillessen into a superb save with his feet to send the tie to penalties.
Then came one of the most remarkable moments of the World Cup as in injury time of extra-time Louis Van Gaal made a sub. He replaced goalkeeper Cillessen with Newcastle’s Tim Krul. Despite has poor penalty stats for his club side, Van Gaal deciding he would be a better option for the shootout.
And wouldn’t you just know that it would become a match-winning decision. The Dutch scored all four of their spot kicks while Krul saved from Ruiz and Umana to send the Dutch through.
A heart-breaking end to a stunning campaign for Pinto’s Costa Rica side, they have made many friends and won many new fans.
Holland will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.