itsbeautifuloutside

Report

It was perhaps predictable that Costa Rica, who flourished against teams such as Italy and Uruguay who played with their own attacking intent, would struggle against a Greek side famous for its focus on defence. But they showed their versatility in defeating Greece as they found a determined side to their game rather than the counter-attacking flair that won them the group.

With Costa Rica playing 5 at the back, nullifying most of Greece’s forays forward, it took 62 minutes for the game to spark into life, and it was ironically the sending off of Los Ticos’ Duarte that gave the Central Americans the determination to see the game through.

Until that point, Greece’s moments of promise came through a congested centre of the pitch but ultimately they could not find the quality required to consistently break down the opposition. Their play reflected the fact that they have managed just 2 goals in this World Cup, one of those being a penalty. Indeed, their play was the perfect antidote to this World Cup which has produced an endless stream of heart-stopping moments and a record number of goals.

But not in this game. Neither team wanted the ball in the first half, both content to concede possession. Costa Rica, however, did press hard in the opposition’s half, and this tactic led to a few opportunities which led to nothing. Greece’s moments of promise came from set-pieces.

Costa Rica did, however, find a goal early in the second half. It was another slow and laboured build-up, but Ruiz found the ball at his feet and enough space in front of him to scuff a shot which swirled and gripped on the turf and nestled in the corner with the Greek keeper rooted.

The goal gave Costa Rica, who could have had a penalty shortly after the goal, more purpose and it forced Greece to gradually find their attacking instincts. Missed opportunities passed, with Samaras of Celtic particularly culpable. It is easy to see why he only has 9 international goals, despite having been around for ages. They brought on Mitroglu to help Samaras up front but he didn’t bring the quality that Greece were so badly lacking in front of goal.

And then, with the sending off, Costa Rica were legitimately able to play the role they wanted; that of the underdog. Down to 10 men, they forced Greece to attack from wide positions. As the clock approached 90 minutes, it looked as if their tactics had worked but in the last minute, Costa Rica failed to deal with a long ball into the box. It bounced, and Greece struck. They were level, and there was still time for more. Navas, the Costa Rican goalkeeper, tipped a Mitroglu header over the bar and Greece had one final corner, a last chance to win the game. But their corner failed to beat the first man and it was over. It was a fitting end to 90 minutes, for it summed Greece’s game up perfectly. Lacking in quality.

But while my Greek wife was a-whoopin’ and a-hollerin’ on the sofa next to me, I was lamenting the loss of a further 30 minutes of my life. This was a game that needed to be put out of its misery and Costa Rica allowed to pass through to the next round. Extra time was characterised by cross after cross from Greece, and Costa Rica looking increasingly tired. But for all the crosses, Greece couldn’t find the net and Costa Rica somehow found the determination to counteract their weary legs. And in the last second before penalties, Navas capped off an excellent night with a brilliant save from Mitroglu to ensure he would have the chance to make a hero of himself in the penalty shoot-out.

In contrast to the rest of the game, both sides showed great quality from the spot. The first 3 from both sides found the net and once Costa Rica had gained the advantage with their 4th, the stage was set for the two most experienced players on the pitch to decide their respective World Cup fates. Gekas, with 75 international caps and an unfortunate spell at Fratton Park under his belt, stepped up and missed. And so, the job fell on Umaña, with 83 international caps to his name, to seal his country’s deserved passage to the quarter finals.

batts