World Cup 2014: News, Schedule, Scores

SALVADOR, Brazil- (Reuters) – The Netherlands advanced to a World Cup semi-final with Argentina by beating Costa Rica 4-3 in a shootout yesterday with substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul saving two of the penalties after the match finished 0-0 following extra time.Costa Rica, with the excellent Keylor Navas in goal, had held out for 120 minutes against a dominant Dutch team who hit the woodwork three times – twice late in normal time and again in the frenetic extra time period.
With extra time almost up, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal sent Krul on for Jasper Cillessen as the Dutch sought to improve on their record of one victory in five previous shootouts in major tournaments.
The towering stopper twice dived low to his left to thwart efforts from Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana while the Dutch fired home all four of their penalties.
Returning to the scene of their opening match 5-1 mauling of defending champions Spain, the Dutch were a world away from that rampant display in a slow first half, although they still looked the more likely of the two sides to score.
Probing at Costa Rica, their first chance came after 21 minutes when Robin van Persie was slipped in only to see his low, angled shot parried away by Navas, who again similarly denied Memphis Depay minutes later.
Navas, a hero in Costa Rica’s last 16 penalty shootout win over Greece, was again in fine form, tipping wide a curling 25 metre Sneijder freekick after 39 minutes.

BREAKING: FIFA denies Brazil capt. Thiago Silva's yellow card suspension appeal. He will miss semifinal vs. Germany.