RECIFE, Brazil - Costa Rica secured a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time on Sunday after beating Greece 5-3 on penalties after the teams finished level at 1-1 after extra time, the Central Americans playing for almost an hour with 10 men.
Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas dived to superbly save Theofanis Gekas's fourth penalty for the Greeks, leaving Michael Umana to stroke home the decisive kick.
After a dire first half the game came to life in the 52nd minute when an unmarked Bryan Ruiz placed a low sidefooted shot beyond Greek keeper Orestis Karnezis and into the corner, but Costa Rica then had defender Oscar Duarte sent off for a second booking in the 66th minute.