0' Final spot in the semifinals up for grabs here, and the Dutch are the heavy favorites in this one against upstart Costa Rica. Costa Rica have defended well this tournament, but the Dutch met a similar defense in Chile and handled them with expertise. They shouldn't have a problem here today. The Costa Ricans will have to do better in attack though, and they have a tall task in the physical and well disciplined Dutch side.
20' The dutch with nearly all the possession thus far. Costa Rica doing well to defend for the most part, but unable to string together anything in the attack. Neither side look likely to crack at the moment, and it will either taken a glaring mistake to give us a goal while legs are still fresh.
45' Chances for both halves, but defenses holding well. The dutch with an excellent opportunity from a Sneijder free kick and a van Persie blast from point blank range, but Navas saving both well. Costa Rica nearly putting one in with some confusing in the Dutch back four, but the ball is clear after the keeper is caught off his line.
65' Neither side showing signs of breaking, although the Dutch starting to move well up the wings with brilliant play from Robben and have sent in dangerous crosses. Missing the finishing touch still though, and Costa Rica gathering well in defense. Costa Rica without threatening offensive opportunities themselves yet, but doing a good job holding play to midfield for the most part, and are not giving up the ball easily.
82' Nearly a goal for the dutch. A foul earned by Robben, who perhaps fell a bit too easily, see Sneijder hitting the upright on a free kick that is beautifully taken. A minute later the ball poorly cleared off of a Robben free kick, but van Persie's shot from only a few feet off is saved well by Navas. The dutch attack now coming to fruition, and they will want to finish this off without extra time.
90+2' Oh my nearly a goal twice for the Dutch. Its a cross that comes in and flies across the face of goal but no Dutch can get a foot to it. Then, van Persie blacks a shot at the open goal but a defender is there and connects with his shin, deflecting the ball up into the cross bar and back out. The Costa Ricans getting lucky, and holding on for extra time by the seam of their pants.
Extra time does come, and its two straight matches for Costa Rica, and you have to wonder what their fitness levels are at, and if they can keep up the defensive wall against this excellent probing dutch team.
94' Nearly a goal once more for the Dutch. Its a clean header off of a corner that's saved well by Navas. On the next corner the ball gets deflected towards goal but goes just wide, but Navas is injured on the play, as he knee comes down awkwardly. The barrage certainly only just getting started. And Costa Rica would do well to put some pressure on the Dutch defense, to help take the pressure off their own goal.
120' Exciting stuff in the final 5 minutes. Costa Rica with two good chances to score, but the Dutch keeper saving well. Then a Sneijder shot beats Navas but clangs into the cross bar. At the end its neither team that can find goal on their own, and we are headed to penalties. The Dutch substitute out their keeper right before the end of extra time, and it will be their backup goalie defending penalties for them.
Final' The dream for Costa Rica finally comes to the end. Its on two brilliant penalty saves from the backup Dutch keeper Krul, who guessed right every time and getting a hand to the ball often enough. Costa Rica have to be proud of their performance though, and Navas joins Howard and Ochoa forming three absolutely sensational world-class performances from the CONCACAF goalkeepers.
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