[VIDEO] Costa Rica defeat Greece on penalties

Even though the Greeks lost, to me it was a victory. To lose 3-0 and to end up making the top 16 is a great achievment. The Costa Rica team should of played better and are a stronger team than Greece. In my eyes, the Greeks won the World Cup. ΕΛΛΑΣ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ!

The Greeks couldn't put away a 10 man Costa Rica who were pretty much dead on there feet. They have played unimaginative and pretty dire football all World Cup. Cost Rica played about 60 minutes of football a man down, if anyone deserved to go through it was them.

Fuss I agree somewhat the Costa Ricans appeared to have fired all of their bullets and didn't really play the last 20 mins of regular time .The Greek's inspirational comeback deserved to advance, but that's football.

Thanks fussball, although we haven't agreed in the past, I appreciate you're words. They are a beacon in the face of so much ire and disdain leveled at the Greek team by one particular poster this morning, who shall remain nameless :) And yeah sucks to say it but they actually pulled defeat from the jaws of victory lol Also yeah I agree re NED. Their performances have progressively diminished since their blinder of an opener. I fell asleep at half time and was floored to see a 2-1 result! But it's their calmness and mental discipline and/or perhaps a lack of emotional and personal implosion (that they've grappled with at previous tourneys) that will get them through the QFs I reckon. LVG is instrumental in this side of their game.

Yeah I heard the commentator this morning say that Greek players are donating their WC bonuses to the federation to build a national training facility because they don't actually have one to train at. Quite laughable really for a side ranked 12 in the world, but testament to the teams all-for-one ethic. Agree re Portugal. I was really expecting them to galvanise in this cup and dominate. I'm always a little fearful of their possible retaliation to Greece due to their checkered past with them but in the pre tourney friendly we had with them it was all a little ominous for the seleccao. Shame to see the ballon dor winner out of the comp so early, albeit an injury plagued and off color Ronaldo, but power to the USA they had the metal. And I guess ghana imploded off field (or should I say exploded, quite literally) :) which is a real shame actually.

Very much agree with that sentiment as I'm not an avid follower of the Greek side and can only comment on the games I've seen. They've done well to get as far as they have. To be fair I also thought Portugal sat back quite often and hoped to catch teams on the break.

Yeah I read that Ben OPP. There's a few Greeks in Australia that may not agree with your sweeping generalisations (of Greek football based on one outing ie japan game) or harmonize with your over inflated view on Asian football. We can all at least thank one attacking Greek who has restored national pride to this country's football team. (Not to mention singlehandedly redefining our domestic league into an attractive product). FYI I think it's safe to say Greece at least attempt to play counter attacking football now, and that we can quash the old adage that they bunker down for 90mins. Besides I recall a big euro team employing that counter attack model with 3 central defenders against a certain current World Cup champion in the first round and getting a decent result to the tune of 5-1 ;)

Mexico was so close to facing another Concacaf side in the quarter finals.

I can't wait for the 2016 Copa America in the US. Should be fun, considering the rise of the Americas.

Recife was a single degree cooler but humidty was at 73%. Costa Rica played an additional half hour and then had the drama of a shoot out. As I understand, it was the street smarts of LvG who demanded that the drinks break be used, a day prior to the match. Not that I wish to put a dampener on your conspiracy theories tho AZ.

Disappointing that Mexico lost, when they appeared in control until they decided to simply hold the Dutch out. Always risky. The Dutch appear to be a one man team, but what a man - their sole strategy is to get it to Robben out wide. He played the entire game in the sun out on the right side so may have been sapped, unfortunately Costa Rica had an extra half hour a man short, so will be more tired. Here's hoping, but generally the minnows only have a number of upsets in them, not that beating the underwhelming Greeks is an upset. Beating the Dutch would however, be enormous.

Lol and for those who missed RBB's utter dislike for the Greeks in the highlights blog - here it is again folks! Yeah very negative football against team drogba and toure. Glad to see the glass is half empty yet again little tacker.

Be careful there, RBB. I alluded to something similar last week and managed to upset one or two of the Roar's more sensitive contributors :)

It was hot enough to warrant drinks breaks, something the organisers have shown reluctance to impose so far in the WC unless the circumstances were genuinely difficult. Conspiracy says that the ref called the penalty cos he didn't feel like running around for another 30mins :P

I am glad the Greeks are out. They are capable of better. Its very negative football for the most part. Truly uninspiring.

29* and 68% humidity isn't what you'd call unbearable heat.

Can't say I shed any tears, but I was very happy to see Costa Rica get their just desserts. As for the Dutch, well they've only scored the most goals in the tournament to date and made their way to the quarter finals reasonably comfortably and in good shape. Pretty sure LvG would have a good chuckle at your assertions fussy.

All reports I read said that it was played in 30+ degree temps and high humidity.

He had a blinder didn't he Ben. As did Ochoa for Mexico earlier in the day. Stock in both would have risen handsomely no doubt.

Not so sure about that AZ. I didn't see the same levels of emotional and physical exhaustion from the Dutchmen following their win. It wasn't even all that hot in Fortaleza and the teams benefitted from drinks breaks in both halves. Regardless, they've each got a week to recover their physical exhaustion. It's their emotional and mental state which will be most depleted imo. I guess we'll find out Saturday night.