Netherlands to face Argentina in semifinals

In a neck-to-neck match until the final whistle, the Netherlands beat Costa Rica only in a 4-3 penalty shootout after drawing 0-0 in both regulation and overtime. Next, the Dutch team take on Argentina in the semifinals at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, on July 9.

Substitute goalkeeper Krul was called to take over from the Netherlands' Cillessen late in the second half of extra time for the penalty shootout. He saved two shoots to see his team through to the semifinals.

But Costa Rica's defense played vigorously throughout the game, and even where overcome, they could rely on goalie Navas to halt the opponent's attempts, or the ball would hit the posts as seen twice in Dutch attacks.

In the second half, in a breathtaking sequence of moves, the Netherlands only just missed the much-craved goal.

The Clockwork Orange kept pace and dominated in overtime. In the last minutes, Sneijder nearly scored, but his shot hit the crossbar again. The Dutch were only to win on penalties.

Still, Costa Rica was knocked out of the competition unbeaten. It faced three world champions in group D, beating Uruguay (3-1), Italy (1-0) and drawing with England (0-0). Surely the biggest surprise of the 2014 World Cup.

Translated by Mayra Borges