Krul saves Dutch in penalty drama against Costa Rica

The 4-3 shoot-out at the Arena Fonte Nova win in which substitute keeper Tim Krul saved two spot kicks sets up a semi-final against Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

Newcastle's Tim Krul was sent on by coach Luis van Gaal for the shoot-out, in probably the best switch so far of several brilliant moves by the coach at this tournament, to save from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana after the game finished goalless after full-time and extra-time.

Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sjneider and Dirk Kuyt all converted from the spot.

The Dutch - who lost their previous World Cup shoot-out in a semi-final against Brazil in 1998 and have gone out in three of four shoot-outs at European Championships - fully deserved the win against the defiant minnows, who had won their last-16 on penalties against Greece but go out proudly after a best-ever World Cup showing.

Keeper Keylor Navas had kept Costa Rica in the game over 90 minutes. Snjeider struck the post and Yeltsin Tejada cleared the ball off the line and onto the bar from Van Persie in stoppage time as the Dutch came close to earning the reward in regular time for their dominance.

Sneijder also thumped a shot against the bar after Marcos Urena had come close to snatching a win for Costa Rica in a dramatic last few minutes of the extra period.

Van Gaal had compensated for the absence of midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong by using a 3-4-3 system in ball possession, with Robben often found in central positions up front as the Dutch took early command.

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto had been worried about Robben's diving antics but it was the Bayern Munich player who had more cause for complaint after challenges which earned four yellow cards.

When Robben was upended by Cristian Gamboa in the 35th minute Dutch players were clearly unhappy at his treatment, but referee Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan - making a record ninth World Cup appearance - gave nothing more than a free-kick.

Minutes later though the referee showed a yellow card to Junior Diaz for felling Robben outside the box. From the free-kick 30 metres out, Sneijder brought out a diving save from Navas with a curled shot towards the top right-hand corner.

Navas also blocked from Van Persie, and Sneijder on the follow-up, as well as the lively Memphis Depay.

With Daley Blind moved into the left of midfield, veteran Kuyt hugging the right touchline and Georginio Wijnaldum and Sneijder in the centre, the Dutch controlled midfield.

Costa Rica rarely threatened, and only a failed overhead kick attempt by Johnny Acosta - in for suspended defender Oscar Duarte - causing momentary danger in front of goal following a free-kick.

Robben was sent flying after the break by Umana, earning a second Costa Rican booking and giving the Dutch another free-kick opportunity. Robben squared the ball across the area but Sneijder could not keep his shot down and the ball sailed well over the bar.

Robben - booed by Costa Rican fans every time he was on the ball - remained the main threat but Diaz and Umana made sure they doubled up when the winger sought to run at the defence.

Giancarlo Gonzalez though was next to go into the book for bringing down Robben who had switched to the left, and again it nearly led to a goal - Sneijder this time thumping his free-kick from the corner of the box over the wall and against the left post with Navas beaten.

Navas saved again from an angled Van Persie, and with minutes remaining the Manchester United striker failed to connect in front of goal after a neat cross from Sneijder.

Diaz, escaped what would have a second yellow card as the game went into stoppage time for bringing down Robben, and Tejeda cleared off the line onto the bar in the melee following the free-kick.

In extra time, a glorious chance fell to Costa Rica three minutes from the end when Urena fund space but could not beat Cillessen in goal. After Sneijder struck the bar, it was left to sub Krul to save the day for the Dutch in the shoot-out.