Costa Rica are perhaps the second greatest surprise packet of this World Cup behind a very impressive Colombian outfit. Facing the Netherlands in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout win over Greece, Costa Rica have looked soared to great heights at this World Cup.
Footballing giants like Spain and Italy have fallen.
With a population of just under five million, Costa Rica have proven that when it comes to football it’s not about quantity but the quality of players. Voted twice the happiest country in the world by the New Economics Foundation, Costa Ricans now have a bit more to smile about after a very positive and surprising showing in Brazil.
Drawn in a very tough group containing three previous champions, Costa Rica seemed to be facing a similar fate to that of the Socceroos. But unlike the boys in gold, Costa Rica started their campaign on the right foot. Conceding early to Uruguay in their first game, they went on to score three times to claim a significant 3-1 victory – a victory which turned their whole group into a state of disarray.
They single-handedly eliminated England before even playing them, when they claimed another big scalp in Italy.
After a strong showing against England, Italy looked to be too strong for Costa Rica until a Ruiz goal in the 44th minute turned the game on it’s head.
Unexpectedly trailing, the Italian giants were derailed by Costa Rica, failing to score for the rest of the tournament, including against a ‘hungry’ Uruguay in their final group match.
Costa Rica were on track to unexpected World Cup success by failing to score but keeping a frustrated England team full of EPL heavyweights goalless. With this hard fought draw, Costa Rica earned a deserved first place and faced
Greece in a Round of 16 clash. Looking set for straightforward 1-0 win, Costa Rica were rocked by an injury time goal to Greece player Socratis Papastathopoulos. the lucky man who became the player with the longest name to score in a World Cup game.
This goal added an unexpected chapter into the Costa Rican’s World Cup fairytale, but a very important addition for the fact it demonstrated their penalty taking abilities. Not a single Costa Rican missed, suggesting they are in a position to handle immense pressure.
Pressure they will inevitably face against a Netherlands team on a four-game-winning streak. The Dutch – however impressive against Spain – have shown cracks in their make-up. Lucky to escape with wins against Australia and Mexico, the Netherlands will face a stern test from a Costa Rican team full of confidence and hope.
So don’t brush this game off as a formulaic one, because in my opinion Costa Rica can cause another major upset in Brazil.
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