2014 FIFA World Cup Predictions, Date and Schedule: Netherlands vs. Costa Rica
What a World Cup this has been so far.
We've seen amazing bicycle kicks, diving saves and controversial calls from officials. Fans have witnessed 22-year-old James Rodriguez become a superstar over the course of five games, while the injury to Neymar changes the entire complexion of the World Cup.
Saturday afternoon in Brazil, the Netherlands and Costa Rica will battle one another to be one of the final four teams remaining in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Latin Post.com takes a look at both teams and predicts the winner:
Netherlands
The Dutch got a disrespectful position from the FIFA World Ranking when they came in at No. 15. Let's remember this country was in the finals in the last World Cup against Spain, which saw a thrilling extra time game. The Netherlands have lost three World Cup Finals without winning one, a World Cup record. This could be their best chance to win one yet.
The Netherlands swept through Group B with a World Cup-leading 10 goals. In the Round of 16, it looked as if they would suffer one of their most devastating losses ever until the 88th minute. Trailing 1-0 to Mexico, Wesley Sneijder scored, tying up the game and we went to extras. Just four minutes into extra time, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored his first goal via penalty kick of the tournament and that would be good enough for an eventual 2-1 victory.
Costa Rica
With Mexico, the United States and Honduras all eliminated, Costa Rica is North America's only hope for a World Cup title. With a population of less than 5 million people and making their first ever quarter-finals appearance, Costa Rica is the Cinderella team of the tournament. Remember, never has a squad outside of South America or Europe ever won the FIFA World Cup.
Costa Rica won an extremely competitive Group D, which featured Italy, England, and Uruguay. All three of those nation have won a World Cup in the past before. In the Round of 16, Costa Rica and Greece were tied 1-1, so a shootout ensued, which saw Costa Rica score all five of their goals. Their leading scorer has been forward Bryan Ruiz, who is playing in his first World Cup tournament. This will be the first time that Costa Rica faces the Netherlands at a World Cup.
The winner of this game will advance to face the winner of Argentina-Belgium in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 9.
Predictions
The Netherlands are out to prove to everyone that what they accomplished four years ago was no fluke, and they're heavy favorites to win this game. But, were they exposed against Mexico? Can the Netherlands handle the heat? We're going with the upset.
Costa Rica wins a nail-bitter, 2-1, in a shootout.
Schedule and How to Watch
These two teams will play each other Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN. The game will be played at the Arena Fonta Nova in Salvador with more than 50,000 fans watching anxiously. Fans can also watch the game online via WatchESPN.