Recife: Ten-man Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout on Sunday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Michael Umana scored the decisive penalty as Costa Rica won the shootout 5-3 after the game ended 1-1 following extra time.
Theofanis Gekas saw his penalty saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas for the only miss in the shootout.
Costa Rica had taken the lead early in the second half of regulation time through captain Bryan Ruiz but then had defender Oscar Duarte sent off in the 66th minute.
Greece equalized in injury time of regulation time when Sokratis Papastathopoulos smashed in a rebound and finally made the team's numerical advantage pay.
Costa Rica survived another 30 minutes of extra time as Greece dominated possession and tried to capitalize on its man advantage. But as he had done all tournament, keeper Keylor Navas continued to stuff the Greek attack with incredible, point-blank deflections.
Playing for penalties, the Costa Ricans withstood the offensive siege and took their chances with Navas in goal.
All five of Costa Rica's shooters confidently drilled their attempts and Navas made a diving, left-handed save against Theofanis Gekas in the fourth round to give his side the edge.
Defender Michael Umana strode up to the ball for Costa Rica's final attempt and converted his penalty to send Los Ticos to the quarterfinals.
Costa Rica will play the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
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