Costa Rica overcame the odds to win Group D, and then had to beat Greece in a shootout with 10 men to make to their first ever World Cup quarterfinals. However, their task on Saturday will be much tougher as they take on the Netherlands, who came back late against Mexico to win 2-1 and are still on a path to get back to the finals after losing to Spain in 2010.
World Cup Odds: Netherlands -215, Costa Rica +595, Draw +365
Odds To Advance: Netherlands -405, Costa Rica +325
Why The Netherlands Can Win
The Netherlands just have more talent than Costa Rica, but they are proving to be mentally tougher than in the past and much of that credit goes to manager Louis van Gaal. They had to overcome a deficit as well as some scorching heat to beat Mexico 2-1, even though Arjen Robben’s late penalty will be debated for years to come. Still, it was a very good performance by the Dutch, who are going for results first, style later. As they proved against Spain in the group stage, when they get rolling, they have both.
Another major factor in their win over Mexico was Wesley Sneijder, who was their best player in 2010, but has declined since. Sneidjer was instrumental in much of Holland’s best moves with Robben and Robin van Persie being held in check, and he scored the equalizer with two minutes left in regulation. When Sneidjer is pulling the strings, Holland can dominate teams.
Why Costa Rica Can Win
Costa Rica is also mentally tough and they have a chip on their shoulder as no one thought they could get through a group with Italy, Uruguay and England. Instead, they ended up winning Group D. Against Greece in the Round of 16 they lost defender Oscar Duarte with 25 minutes left in regulation due to his second yellow card, then allowed an equalizer in injury time and still had to hold out during a shootout. But still, Costa Rica survived. This isn’t a team that rolls over for anyone and they’re not going to be an easy out for Holland.
Joel Campbell played an incredible game for Costa Rica, especially once they went down a man because he had to do a lot of work by himself up front as captain Bryan Ruiz, who scored in the 52nd minute, stayed back to help his midfield. Campbell and Ruiz will have to put pressure on the Dutch defense and give their own defense a chance to rest.
Outlook
This is the first time that the Netherlands and Costa Rica have met on the pitch. While Costa Rica have played well over their skill level, their run should come to an end as Holland will look to quiet the critics that thought they didn’t deserve to win against Mexico. The trio of Robben, van Persie and Sneijder will eventually unlock the Costa Rican defense and do enough to get to the semifinals.
Pick: The Netherlands
