Costa Rica 1-1 Greece World Cup 2014 LIVE: Sokratis Equalises for European Side against Los Ticos' 10 Men to Force Extra Time
- Sokratis scores injury time equaliser for Greece
- Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte given red card for second bookable offence
- Bryan Ruiz slots home from edge of the box to give Costa Rica second half lead
- Greece XI: Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas, Samaris
- Costa Rica XI: Navas, Gonzalez, Umana, Borges, Duarte, Bolanos, Campbell, Ruiz, Diaz, Gamboa, Tejeda
- Costa Rica already matched best finals following last 16 appearance in 1990
- Central American side caused shock by topping group featuring Uruguay, Italy and England
- Greece through to last 16 for first time in their history at third attempt
- Two sides clash in Recife at Arena Pernambuco with winner to face Holland in quarter-finals
Daily Mail UK, 29 June 2014
Costa Rica 1-1 Greece (9pm) (Extra time played)
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Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa (Acosta 77), Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana, Diaz, Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda (Cubero 66), Bolanos (Brenes 83), Campbell.
Subs: Pemberton, Myrie, Barrantes, Francis, Granados, Miller, Calvo, Urena, Cambronero.
Booked: Duarte, Tejeda, Granados, Ruiz, Navas.
Sent off: Duarte.
Goal: Ruiz 52.
Greece: Karnezis, Torosidis, Manolas, Papastathopoulos, Holebas, Karagounis, Salpingidis (Gekas 69), Maniatis (Katsouranis 78), Christodoulopoulos, Samaris (Mitroglou 58), Samaras. Subs: Glykos, Tzavelas, Moras, Tziolis, Kone, Mitroglou, Vyntra, Fetfatzidis, Tachtsidis, Kapino.
Booked: Samaris, Maonlas.
Goal: Sokrats 90+1min.
Referee: Benjamin Williams (Australia)
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They really should have won it inside 90 minutes, but after surviving a battering from Greece, Costa Rica do eventually hold out to win on penalties and reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final.
It was of course Navas who proved the hero in the shootout, with the keeper keeping out the spot-kick from Gekas.
FULL-TIME: Costa Rica 1-1 Greece (AET) Costa Rica win 5-3 on penalties
Costa Rica 5-3 Greece
Michael Umana scores
Costa Rica 4-3 Greece
Theofanis Gekas misses
Costa Rica 4-3 Greece
Joel Campbell scores
Costa Rica 3-3 Greece
Jose Holebas scores
Costa Rica 3-2 Greece
Giancarlo Gonzalez scores
Costa Rica 2-2 Greece
Lazaros Christodoulopoulos scores
Costa Rica 2-1 Greece
Bryan Ruiz scores
Costa Rica 1-1 Greece
Kostas Mitroglou scores
Costa Rica 1-0 Greece
Celso Borges
Costa Rica to go first as the penalties are about to begin
SENT TO THE STANDS: Fernando Santos (Greece manager)
Already Greece are given a minor set-back, as manager Fernando Santos has been sent to the stands after arguing with the match officials over which end to take the penalties.
Going against the grain of a standard football match, it turns out that extra-time proved to be the most entertaining aspect of the match as we now go to penalties. The good news is that means the drama is set to continue!
FULL-TIME: Costa Rica 1-1 Greece (AET) Penalty shootout to be contested
Rise again: Costa Rica's forward Joel Campbell heads the ball next to Greece's midfielder Giorgos Karagounis
120+2min: Mitroglou with the winner!? No! The striker runs onto a flick on inside the box, but one-on-one with Navas, his shot is deflected wide. What a superb and crucial stop!
120+1min: As we tick over two hours, we will have two added minutes to find a winner.
120min: I'm convinced more than ever now this is going to penalties as Mitroglou shows neat footwork with a step over to beat his man on the edge of the Costa Rica box, only to horribly blast wide from 20 yards.
117min: I still back Greece as the likely winners but they haven't worked Navas as much as I thought they would in this extra 30 minutes. They really haven't taken advantage of the extra man in this period.
114min: Massive opportunity wasted by Greece! Costa Rica throw too many men forward for a corner and it allows the European side to hit them with a five-on-two counter.
The ball is played into Christodoulopoulos inside the box, but his low drive across goal is beaten away by Navas.
112min: I can only admire the way Costa Rica are approaching this. They look finished but still they attack as Cubero slides to cut the ball back from the byline, only for Campbell to miss the ball with an attempted Danny Welbeck-esque flick at the near post before Greece clear.
Talking tactics: Greece players take a time to rest during extra time
109min: Oh and Navas also still has his legs! The keeper advances off his line to cut out a through ball intended for Gekas, but the Greece forward leaves a naughty foot in the challenge, requiring the keeper to chuck the ball out so he can receive treatment.
106min: The only man who can perhaps run for Costa Rica is Brenes, and the substitute nearly fires Los Ticos back into the lead!
Straight from kick-off he advances forward, before his rising drive from 23 yards curls just wide of Karnezis's near post.
Costa Rica restart the second half following the short break
HALF-TIME: Costa Rica 1-1 Greece
One hand on the trophy: Greek supporters hold a replica World Cup trophy inside the Arena Pernambuco
100min: It's getting desperate for Costa Rica! A free-kick bounces around in the box before falling for Katsouranis, whose low drive across goal is superbly blocked behind by a sliding block from Giancarlo Gonzalez.
Taking charge: Greece's forward Kostas Mitroglou (left) vies with Costa Rica's defender Michael Umana
99min: So far Greece are giving as good as they have got. It's one way traffic with Costa Rica having no outlet for attack once they hoof the ball clear.
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Costa Rica have gone into a 4-4-1 formation as they attempt to hang on. Greece have so many strikers on the pitch that Samaras has dropped in at No.10 in a 4-2-3-1 shape.'
93min: That may sound like I'm backing Greece to win, but Costa Rica look totally spent.
They don't even look like they have the legs to launch a counter attack. Joel Campbell would probably struggle walking to the penalty spot to take a penalty should a shoot-out come about.
I'm going to put a kiss of death on it, but only Greece look like scoring in the next 30 minutes, as Mitroglou just misses out on connecting with a cross as Navas collects.
EXTRA-TIME: Off we go again - can Greece find a winner?
Cooling off: Sokratis of Greece refreshes during the break before extra-time
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Ancient Greek Georgios Karagounis is slipping on a new pair of bright yellow boots. Not what a 37-year-old man should be wearing but he had been brilliant tonight and they might freshen him up. Greece look like they fancy this against 10 men.'
They did it against Ivory Coast, and Greece have done it again! It's another late show and Costa Rica looked a bit of a shambles in the final 10 minutes as the pressure of holding out for a quarter-final spot eventually got to them.
From here, you would back Greece in extra time, Costa Rica would probably deal on penalties now - they look absolutely knackered.
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Samaras and Borges getting involved after the equaliser. Samaras patted him on the head in patronising way. Borges reacted. They had to be cooled down. But this will simmer through extra time.'
FULL-TIME: Costa Rica 1-1 Greece (Extra time to be played)
Last gasp: Sokratis (left) blasts home an injury time equaliser for Greece
Mobbed: Sokratis Greece is mobbed by team-mates after saving his side's World Cup hopes
90+3min: A chance to win it for Greece, but Mitroglou's header is superbly tipped over by Navas.
GOAL! Costa Rica 1-1 GREECE
90+1min: Greece applied the pressure and for the second match running they net a crucial goal in injury time! Gekas' shot is parried by Navas, but straight into the path of
Sokratis who slots home the rebound high into the net.
Moments before Navas was booked for time wasting - as such there will be five added minutes.
89min: Chance for Greece! Christodoulopoulos skins his marker on the right before advancing along the byline, but his low cross is snapped up by Navas at the feet of Mitroglou.
At the other end, Acosta whips a cross into the Greece only for there to be not one player from either team inside the box (apart from Karnezis in the Greece goal, obviously.) Costa Rica have gone ultra defensive now.
87min: Superb play from Ruiz, who holds the ball up well in the Greece box before heading to the corner flag where he wins a free-kick following a desperate looking foul from Karagounis. Time is running out fast for Greece and they know it.
Costa Rica substitution
84min: it's all down to the players on the pitch now as Costa Rica make their last change. Randall Brenes replaces Bolanos.
81min: Karagounis hasn't had his shooting boots on today and with a free-kick 25 yards out the midfielder blasts way over - prompting boos from the crowd.
It's all Greece now though, and I would think they have a few more chances to equalise yet.
Greece substitution
78min: Final switch for Greece with Konstantinos Katsouranis replaces Giannis Maniatis.
Error: Greece's defender Jose Holebas (left) is fouled by Costa Rica's defender Oscar Duarte who was sent off
Off you go: Referee Benjamin Williams gives a dejected looking Oscar Duarte a red card
Costa Rica substitution
77min: Second change for Costa Rica as Gamboa is replaced by Johnny Acosta, who will hope to plug a gap on the right side which Greece are starting to exploit.
73min: It's getting rather scrappy this, even Greece can't stay out the referee's notebook now as Kostas Manolas slides in ridiculously late on Campbell to pick up a booking.
Greece substitution
70min: Greece scent blood and send on Theofanis Gekas for Salpingidis, while Bryan Ruiz is booked for a late challenge. Nervous times for Los Ticos who are losing their discipline.
RED CARD: Oscar Duarte (Costa Rica)
67min: Madness from Oscar Duarte, who makes a reckless challenge to bring down Cholevas, picking up a second yellow card and a sending off. Needless pressure now on Costa Rica.
Costa Rica substitution
66min: Jose Cubero replaces Tejeda for Costa Rica.
61min: Half-an-hour left but we will have to see Greece come out of their comfortable defensive shell now as they will have to throw the sink at Costa Rica at some point.
On the other side of the coin, do the Central Americans have it in them to hold out?
Handled: Vasilis Torosidis handled the ball inside the Greece box
Booked on the bench: Australian referee Benjamin Williams shows a yellow card to Costa Rica's midfielder Oscar Esteban Granados
Greece substitution
58min: First change for Greece as Fulham flop Kostas Mitroglou replaces Samaris.
55min: It's all action now! Vasilis Torosidis somehow survives a handball appeal against him inside the Greece box to deny Costa Rica a certain penalty.
But the Central Americans are in trouble following it as sub Esteban Granados is booked for dissent on the Costa Rica bench.
Slots home: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica scores his team's opening goal
Off to celebrate: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team's first goal
GOAL! COSTA RICA 1-0 Greece
52min: The unthinkable has happened - we have a goal! Bolanos cuts a pass back to the edge of the box where
Bryan Ruiz opens his body out to slot a low finish across goal and into the bottom corner.
It's superbly taken and Costa Rica's first shot on target. Clinical if nothing else!
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Sepp Blatter booed as he appeared on the big screen. You can always rely on that. He seemed a little glazed, like the rest of those inside the stadium.'
49min: Credit to Greece, they have came out and had a go in this half as Yeltsin Tejeda is booked for chopping down Karagounis.
47min: Half-chance for Greece but only because Costa Rica made it so, as Georgos Samaras is marked by three defenders as he headers a free-kick straight at Navas.
SECOND-HALF: Away we go again, no changes from either side
Leaping in: Greece's defender Jose Cholevas jumps in on with Costa Rica's midfielder Yeltsin Tejeda
Match stats from the first half
Forty five minutes and one chance - it's not looking good is it. Those of you who went for a penalty shootout bet mentioned before kick-off should be about the only people feeling happy following that first half. I'm losing the will to live and this is a last 16 match at the World Cup!
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Jeers and whistles from an unimpressed crowd in Recife. It is not full by any means but they made their feelings known.
'Joel Campbell and his Olympiakos team-mate Jose Cholevas swap shirts on the way off at half-time. It’s never great to see, but somehow more palatable when they’re mates, and neither falls into the superstar bracket.'
HALF-TIME: Costa Rica 0-0 Greece
Flash point: Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas (left) made a superb stop to deny Dimitrios Salpingidis
45min: The referee has enforced another 120 seconds of added time to the first half. Why Benjamin Williams, why?!
44min: I should have known better II.
Karagounis looks like he is going to shoot on goal, but instead he chips the ball into the box to allow Navas to collect the easiest of catches. Sighs go all round the stadium and from the man typing these words.
43min: Free-kick in a promising position for Greece though as Oscar Durate is booked for a desperate foul to bring down Christodoulopoulos on the left side of the box.
41min: I should have known better, but I was hoping that the Salpingidis chance would kick this game into life.
We seem to be meandering towards a goalless first half. I'm thinking about penalties already.
38min: What a save from Navas! Greece whip in a super cross to the back post, and there Dimitrios Salpingidis looks certain to score on the volley, only for the Costa Rica keeper to block the shot wide of the target. By FAR the best moment of the half.
Seeing yellow: Andreas Samaris of Greece is shown a yellow card by referee Benjamin Williams after a challenge on Joel Campbell
37min: There's our first booking as once the Greek defence is breached, Andreas Samaris hauls down Campbell to pick up a yellow card.
34min: We've seen Costa Rica get down and play the ball well in this tournament, but they are lacking the quality to break down a stubborn Greek defence.
The Central American team opt for the long pass as the ball is pumped 60 yards into the box, but the Greek centere-backs are too much for Campbell as he is crowded out before Karnezis collects.
31min: Right, another set-piece coming up - can Costa Rica threaten from a corner though?
Erm...well..no. A corner swung towards the goal is straight at Karnezis who catches with ease.
Captain's brief: Greece midfielder and captain Giorgos Karagounis (left) argues with Australian referee Benjamin Williams
28min: BREAKING NEWS: We've had a shot on target! It's not a great one but it keeps the stats ticking over as Karagounis' 25-yard strike just has enough power to reach Keylor Navas in the Costa Rica goal, who puts his newspaper down neatly before making the save.
25min: Brief worry for Greece as Karagounis goes down looking resigned and pointing at his knee after a late challenge, but within seconds he is back to his feet to carry on playing. Strange that.
I doubt the crowd saw it, they are too busy starting a Mexican Wave - I'm surprised it's taken them this long.
On the line: Greece's midfielder Giorgos Karagounis fouls Costa Rica's forward Joel Campbell just outside the Greece penalty box
23min: Penalty? No says the referee and it's a good decision as Karagounis' mad dash across the box to bring down Campbell was JUST outside the box on the right hand side.
Greece survive the free-kick whipped into the box.
20min: There are still touches of class on the pitch, as Ruiz's clever flick releases Gamboa, whose byline cross is blocked behind for a corner. I have to admit I'm clutching at straws here for action.
17min: Another set-piece opportunity for Greece, which this time Karagounis gives justice as he floats a lovely cross towards the penalty spot.
There, Sokratis manages to nod towards goal, but under pressure glances the ball wide of the target.
Sliding in: Greece's Giorgos Karagounis (left) attempts a tackle on Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz
14min: The action on the pitch resembles that of a typical England friendly at the moment with precious little going on.
The same could go for the stands too with a brass band starting to go up around the ground. It's not 'Great Escape' being played but it certainly had to make me double check I wasn't watching a typical Three Lions scrap.
11min: It's perhaps expected, but we haven't seen too much of Greece in the attacking third.
Credit where it's due though. Christodoulopoulos cuts in from the left flank, and all on his own beats two defenders before firing low and narrowly wide.
Under pressure: ichael Umana (left) of Costa Rica challenges Giorgos Karagounis of Greece for the ball
8min: And here is Exhibit B. Costa Rica break dangerously through the centre before the ball is fed to Christian Bolanos on the left side of the box.
The forward rifles a rising effort towards the target, but Orestis Karnezis is again untested in the Greek goal as it sails over the bar.
On all fours: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica competes for the ball with Jose Cholevas of Greece
6min: Costa Rica's pace looks like it could cause Greece problems...their finishing not so much.
Cristian Gamboa is the most alert to a loose ball breaking on the right but despite charging dangerously towards the box, his low shot across goal is dragged well low and wide.
3min: I have a feeling set-pieces could play a major role this evening, and Greece take just 60 seconds to win their first one.
Georgios Karagounis' free-kick is lofted into the Costa Rica box but despite clearing, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (loads of fun to type) fires a long range effort over from 25 yards.
Top brass: FIFA president Sepp Blatter attended the Costa Rica vs Greece match
KICK-OFF: We are underway in Recife
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'The locals stir to confirm their allegiance to Costa Rica. Two Fulham No.10s lead out the teams.'
Bryan Ruiz and Georgios Karagounis for the record...
Heads up: Costa Rica's Junior Diaz (Left) and Michael Umana warm up inside the Arena Pernambuco
Out come the teams in Recife. Unlike the earlier game, a blazing hot sun won't be a problem for these players with the evening already setting in.
I just wonder if either side will throw something in attack to get the job done in 90 minutes. Costa Rica would be my bet, it's where their strengths are.
From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow in Recife
'Twenty mins to KO and little here in Recife to repel the idea that this is a last-16 which is not firing the imagination.
'The Arena Pernambuco is less than half full. Most of those present in yellow Brazil shirts, kicking back and enjoying the cooler evening air.
'There’s a very noisy knot of Greeks, maybe about 20 strong, behind one goal and a few Costa Rica flags. The eight seats to my left in the Press Box are empty. The bloke to my right has a terrible cough.'
Looking ahead to the last eight? A Greek fan waits for the start of her side's clash with Costa Rica
PLAYER WATCH: Andreas Samaris (Greece)
Little did Andreas Samaris know he would help drag Greece towards the last 16 when he started as a sub against Ivory Coast last time out.
But after coming on in the 12th minute, the midfielder scored his team's first goal of the tournament before playing a starring role in their march towards the knock-out stages for the first time.
Here's his heat map from the match, where he appeared to feature across the midfield.
Of course the winner out of Greece and Costa Rica will go through to the quarter-finals for a tricky looking fixture against Holland.
Louis van Gaal's team had already marked themselves out as a team to watch before this game, but a superb comeback to score two late goals helped them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a 2-1 win against Mexico.
So Oranje are resilient as well as brilliant then?
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Full line-ups from the Arena Pernambuco
Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana, Diaz, Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Bolanos, Campbell.
Subs: Pemberton, Acosta, Myrie, Barrantes, Francis, Granados, Brenes, Miller, Calvo, Urena, Cubero, Cambronero.
Greece: Karnezis, Torosidis, Manolas, Papastathopoulos, Holebas, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Maniatis, Christodoulopoulos, Samaris, Samaras.
Subs: Glykos, Tzavelas, Moras, Tziolis, Kone, Mitroglou, Vyntra, Gekas, Fetfatzidis, Katsouranis, Tachtsidis, Kapino.
Referee: Benjamin Williams (Australia)
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In the shade: The Arena Pernambuco was fully shaded from the sun before kick-off
Super support: A Costa Rican soccer fan dresses up as Superman inside the Arena Pernambuco
Team news from Recife...
Just the one change for Greece who sneaked into the last 16 thanks to a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.
Panagiotis Kone was an early injury casualty in that game and he is replaced in the line-up by the man who came on for him and scored against the African side, Andreas Samaris.
Costa Rica make two changes to the side which drew 0-0 with England, Michael Umana and Christian Bolanos come in for Randall Brenes and Roy Miller.
Hitting the big time: A fan arrives to attend the Greece vs Costa Rica match with a large comb and glasses
Costa Rica starting XI
Navas, Gonzalez, Umana, Borges, Duarte, Bolanos, Campbell, Ruiz, Diaz, Gamboa, Tejeda.
Greece starting XI
Karnezis, Maniatis, Manolas, Samaras, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Torosidis, Lazaros, Sokratis, Cholevas, Samaris.
Hands up, who thought these two teams would line up in the last 16?
Not me that's for sure. I was hoping it would be England going through as Group D winners, but it was Costa Rica who stole the show to stun the Three Lions, Italy and Uruguay who have ALL since been knocked out.
But can they get past a Greek side who are starting to make a habit of grinding out important victories? Team news up next.
Heading for the last eight? Costa Rica supporters cheer in Recife before their side take on Greece
Costa Rica and Greece collide looking to reach a first ever quarter-final in Recife.Costa Rica have already matched their best performance at a World Cup to reach the last 16 after achieving the feat in 1990, and will target a last eight spot having impressively topped a group containing Uruguay, Italy and England.
The finals in Brazil marks the first time Greece have ever progressed from the group stage following failures in 1994 and 2010, and despite scoring only two goals in the group stage they will be confident of progressing further in the tournament.