1/8 finals of the 2014 World Cup: Costa Rica - Greece
1/8 finals of the 2014 World Cup: Costa Rica - Greece
June 29 in the Brazilian city of Recife took placethe fourth match of the 1/8 finals of the football mundialya in Brazil. There were teams from Costa Rica and Greece, who sensationally made their way to the decisive stage of the tournament.
A pair of Costa Rica - Greece was considered the weakest among the remaining teams in the playoff stage. The game between these teams was a clear confirmation of that.
The first time was boring. Costa Ricans tried to play the first number, and the Greeks issued counter-attacks, but scoring chances were almost nonexistent. The ball moved slowly, spectators could see the fight in the center of the field, the teams rarely bothered the goalkeepers.
Among the memorable moments of the first half of the meeting can be identified a dangerous attack by the Greeks, when a player of Europeans at close range could not hit the gate of opponents. Help the goalkeeper of Costa Rica Navas.
The first half ended in a goalless draw.
At the beginning of the second half of the meeting Costa Ricansopened an account. At the 52nd minute, Brian Ruiz hit the bottom corner of the gate with a very precise shot. Costa Rica led 1 - 0. After this moment, the Greeks became more active in the pressure, they were forced to press the situation at the gates of Central Americans. However, it did not work out, there were not enough moments. But sporting luck still turned to the Greeks.
Already in the time of repentance Papastathopoulosgreat played on finishing and equalized. The Greeks snatched a draw in regular time. In addition, the Europeans had another moment in order to hit the gates of Costa Ricans in the regular time of the match. But goalkeeper Navas rescues his team after hitting the player of Greece under the crossbar.
In extra time the spectators did not see goals,but we must admit that the Greeks were closer to the goal. At the 121st minute of the meeting Mitroglu missed a real chance to score. The player of Greece from close range punched on goal, but did not hit the target.
The game ended with a draw, so the second time in the tournament, the fate of the exit to the next stage was decided in a penalty shootout.
Luck smiled at Costa Rica. All five players realized their blows, which led to the victory of Central Americans in the penalty shootout 5 - 3. Now the Costa Rican national team in the quarter finals will play against the Netherlands, and the Greek team is sent home.
