It was supposed to be a formality, but the Netherlands was made to
sweat against Costa Rica before eventually overcoming the 2014 World Cup's
surprise package and booking a place in the semifinals Saturday.
Substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero, saving two
penalties to secure a 4-3 shootout victory after this tense, nervous
quarterfinal finished goalless.
Incredibly, the Newcastle man was brought on in the 29th
minute of extra time with the sole job of denying "Los Ticos" in the
spot-kick showdown.
It earned the Dutch a second consecutive semifinals appearance, having lost to
Spain in the title match four years ago.
Now the aim for Louis van Gaal's men is to go one better
than in South Africa.
Standing in their way of another final appearance will be
Argentina, which defeated Belgium in the
day's earlier game thanks
to a solitary early goal from Gonzalo Higuain.
Wednesday's clash will be a repeat of the 1978 final, which
Argentina won 3-1, and the dramatic 1998 quarterfinal in which the Dutch
triumphed thanks to a spectacular Dennis Bergkamp winner.
On the performances of both teams
Saturday, it will be difficult to pick a winner.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots described
Argentina as "ordinary" in his post-match press conference earlier in
the day.
Likewise, there was little that was
obviously special about the Dutch against Costa Rica but Van Gaal's players
have recorded some impressive results at this World Cup so far.
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