Recife: Bryan Ruiz calmly guided 10-man Costa Rica through a tense penalty decider against Greece and into the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in the country’s history.
The Ticos’ captain scored the goal that put Costa Rica ahead and also put away his penalty as the Central Americans kept their nerve to win the decider 5-3. The two sides were 1-1 after regulation time with Sokratis Papastathopoulos cancelling out Ruiz’s goal in injury time to force extra time which also ended in deadlock.
Fanis Gekas missed Greece’s fourth penalty and Michael Umana converted Costa Rica’s fifth to seal the historic victory.
Costa Rica looked on target to pick off a new European scalp when in the 52nd minute Christian Bolanos found Ruiz on the edge of the penalty area and the skipper turned the ball into the net.
The shot by Ruiz, whose headed goal sank Italy in the key Group D clash, was not powerful. But Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis and his defence seemed to stand still and watch it go by.
The goal brought Greece out of their shells and the pressure began to tell on the Costa Ricans. Oscar Duarte brought down Jose Holebas in the 62nd minute and his second yellow card meant his immediate expulsion.
Greece poured forward but still Costa Rica held on and believed the game was theirs when Papastathopoulos struck in the second minute of injury time.
Gekas fired in a low shot which Keylor Navas could not hold and the Borussia Dortmund defender hit in an easy rebound.
From the beaches to the capital, Costa Ricans poured into the streets Sunday to celebrate the national team’s historic World Cup victory over Greece.
Fans in the capital of San Jose gathered at the Fuente de la Hispanidad, a fountain and traditional celebrating spot, carrying flags, wearing wigs and jerseys, honking and whooping following the team’s win in a penalty shootout.
“The country has fallen. There’s been an earthquake,” said restaurateur Teo Prestinary, 43, on the beach in Nosara, where he said it was jammed with countrymen cheering, whistling and singing “Vamos Ticos,” or “Go, Costa Ricans.”
“It’s beautiful. It’s historic, emotional.”
Maria Mendoza, 33, watched the celebration on television from nearby Santa Ana, said she was, “happy, happy, happy.” Costa Rica reached Sunday’s match against Greece after defeating Uruguay and Italy and tying England in a division where it was considered the weakest team.
Now Costa Ricans say they could go all the way.
“We always had faith,” said Luis Diego Escorriola, 42, who was watching the final game commentary before joining the celebration. “The entire country is going to the streets.” (AFP)
