Krul saves Netherlands as Costa Rica downed, Argentina sinks Belgium

06 กรกฎาคม 2557

Super-sub goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero as the Netherlands beat Costa Rica on penalties. In Brasili,a an early Gonzalo Higuain strike was all Argentina needed to knock out Belgium.

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Netherlands' goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen (L) shakes hands with Netherlands' goalkeeper Tim Krul as he leaves the field, during a quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Costa Rica at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER

Krul saves Netherlands as Costa Rica downed, Argentina sinks Belgium

Super-sub goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero as the Netherlands ended their penalty shoot-out jinx to beat Costa Rica and set up a World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina on Wednesday.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal stunned onlookers at Salvador's Fonte Nova Arena by bringing on Krul to replace Jasper Cillessen in the final seconds of extra-time after 120 minutes had finished deadlocked at 0-0. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186488/index.html)

Netherlands' goalkeeper Tim Krul saves a penalty by Costa Rica's defender Michael Umana (not pictured) during the penalty shout out of the quarter-final football match between Netherlands and Costa Rica. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

But van Gaal's audacious move to introduce Krul paid dividends as the Newcastle keeper saved Costa Rican penalties from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to send the Dutch through into a last four meeting with Argentina in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

Holland had won only one penalty shoot-out in five previous attempts at major championships.

But penalty takers Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt all made no mistake from the spot to beat Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder kicks a penalty during the penalty shootout. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER

Van Gaal later said the move to switch keepers was pre-planned, saying he believed Krul would have a better chance of success in a shoot-out.

"Every keeper has specific qualities and we felt that he had a better reach, and a better track record to stop penalties," van Gaal said.

"We'd discussed it with Tim, how Costa Rica would shoot their penalties, their sequence. So he was prepared.

Costa Rica's footballers wait during the penalty shootout. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

"Fortunately it worked out because if it hadn't worked out I would have taken the wrong decision.

The unforgettable shoot-out drama came after a gritty duel which saw the Netherlands dominate for long periods without being able to score.

Sneijder came closest, twice hitting the woodwork in normal and extra-time.

The win means the Netherlands are set for another chapter of their World Cup rivalry with Argentina, which includes the 1978 final won by the South Americans.

Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain (L) shoots to score during a quarter-final football match between Argentina and Belgium at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EVARISTO SA

Argentina advanced to the semi-final for the first time in 24 years on Saturday after a Gonzalo Higuain strike secured a 1-0 win over Belgium. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186504/index.html)

Napoli striker Higuain lashed in an instinctive first time shot after eight minutes as Belgium's hopes of qualifying for the last four wilted in Brasilia.

Argentina's win snapped a run of two successive World Cup quarter-final exits following failures against Germany in 2006 and 2010.

It is the first time the South Americans have qualified for the last four since the 1990 finals in Italy.

"We produced a very complete match. We weren't able to create that many chances, but they didn't make that many clear chances either," Argentina captain Lionel Messi said.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (C) celebrates with teammates after winning the quarter-final football match between Argentina and Belgium. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Argentina have now won all five of their matches at the tournament, but they laboured in the group phase and were criticised for a lacklustre display in their 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the last 16.

Beaten coach Marc Wilmots dismissively branded Argentina "an ordinary team with one extraordinary player" after the game, but Messi appeared similarly unimpressed with Belgium.

"All they had were long-range shots," he said.

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