Recife, Brazil: Costa Rica proved on Sunday they were not just an exciting attacking team but could also defend, as they knocked Greece out of the World Cup 5-3 on penalties after playing with 10 men for more than an hour.
The Central Americans took a page out of Greece’s book and beat the Europeans at their own ugly defensive game, matching them tackle for tackle and relying on several superb saves by man-of-the-match goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
The Greeks, playing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, found themselves in the unusual position of having to attack as Costa Rica lured them into a false sense of security.
Long the underdogs at international tournaments, the Greeks took the bait hook, line and sinker and Costa Rica proceeded to pickpocket their ticket to the last eight for the first time with a disciplined defensive performance.
The Central Americans looked nothing like the sprightly aggressive team that beat former World Cup winners Italy and Uruguay in the group stage to progress as winners.
They relinquished possession and, with lone forward Joel Campbell having to endure constant crunching tackles by the rugged Greek defenders, they were content to soak up pressure before hitting back on the break.
With the Greeks lured out of their defensive shell for the first time in years, knowing that one goal could be enough to decide the match, Costa Rica struck when captain Bryan Ruiz scored after a fine move down the left wing.
They were reduced to 10 men when Oscar Duarte was sent off after a second booking, but kept the Greeks at bay until a last-gasp equaliser sent the game into extra-time at 1-1.
There Los Ticos did exactly what Greece have been doing against stronger opponents for years, letting them come forward while waiting to strike on the counter.
They held on even as Greece coach Fernando Santos brought on two more forwards to finish the game in extra time and Navas saved their skin on several occasions. He then stopped a penalty in the shootout to complete Costa Rica’s most memorable footballing moment, which was undoubtedly not their prettiest.
With the prospect of facing attacking Netherlands in the quarter-finals, football fans around the world are relishing the clash and rejoicing that Greece were not the party-poopers yet again.
