Costa Rica

Netherlands (0 (4) - 0 (3)) Costa Rica

The Runner-Up vs. the Cinderella (UPDATE: Cinderella’s Story Ends)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Can Costa Rica continue?

UPDATE: Costa Rica’s unexpected run at the World Cup is over after falling to the Netherlands on penalty kicks 4-3. Netherlands goes on to play Argentina on Wednesday in one of two semifinals.

Previous post:

There’s a lot of pressure on both Netherlands and Costa Rica in their quarterfinal match (4 PM ET/8 PM UTC). Netherlands lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final; with the defending champions out in group play, could Netherlands make it back to the final…and win? Costa Rica is the Cinderella team of this year’s World Cup – emerging ahead of England and Italy in group play, they hope to keep their success going and earn a spot in the semifinals.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Photo of the Day

World Cup: June 30, 2014

By Andrew Palczewski   |
Costa Rica fans take a selfie.

Costa Rica soccer fans pose for a selfie before watching their team’s World Cup round of 16 match against Greece on a live telecast inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, June 29, 2014. Costa Rica won a penalty shootout 5-3 after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. (AP)

Costa Rica 1(5) - 1(3) Greece

The Unexpected Matchup (UPDATE: Costa Rica Wins Thriller)

By Andrew Palczewski   |
here Greece is hoping to take down Costa Rica.

UPDATE: Costa Rica’s improbable World Cup run continues with an improbable victory over Greece. Tied 1-1 after extra time, Costa Rica nailed all five of their penalty shots to give them the win over Greece, who only made three penalty shots. Costa Rica goes on to play Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 5.

Previous post:

Few if any expected this Round of 16 match: Costa Rica was the surprise winner of Group B over favorites England and Italy, who were both eliminated. Greece was another surprise, emerging from group play ahead of powerful teams from Japan and Cote d’Ivoire. Both of these teams come into this match as tournament underdogs, but only one will emerge as a winner. See them face off at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Costa Rica (0-0) England

Costa Rica vs. England: The Best and Worst of Group D (UPDATE: It’s a Draw)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Can Rooney earn a victory in the 2014 World Cup?

UPDATE: England leaves the 2014 World Cup without earning a win after playing to a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica. With Uruguay’s win over Italy in the other Group D match, Costa Rica wins Group D.

Previous post:

Much like Spain yesterday, England is seeking it’s first win of the 2014 World Cup after a surprising elimination in group play. But unlike Spain, who played a winless Australia team, England takes on the hottest team in Group D and one of the surprises of this year’s Cup: Costa Rica. Can England head home with at least one win? Having already qualified for the Round of 16, will Costa Rica rest their squad, or will they come out fighting? The match begins at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Costa Rica (1-0) Italy

Can Italy Beat the Heat…and Costa Rica? (UPDATE: Costa Rica Wins & Advances)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Can Italy Beat the Heat...and Costa Rica?

UPDATE: Whether or not the heat was an issue for Italy, Costa Rica got the best of them, winning 1-0. With their win, Costa Rica not only advances to the Round of 16, but knocks England out of the World Cup.

Previous post:

It seems pretty obvious that the biggest challenge Italy will face in their match against Costa Rica will be…well, Costa Rica.

But not according to Italian coach Cesare Prandelli, the biggest challenge for his team may be the steamy Brazilian heat. He told the Associated Press that he’s “certain his players will suffer” from the conditions.

Midfielder Daniele de Rossi is also worried about the weather: “Last year we played Japan in Recife at 9 p.m. and we were dying. [Costa Rica are] more accustomed to this climate but I think both squads would accept time outs.”

Will the heat beat Italy? Or will Italy keep their cool and win over a tough Costa Rica squad? Find out at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.