FIFA World Cup 2014: Facts Punch Netherlands vs Costa Rica, 4th Quarter-final

Fighting for the last semi-final spot are Netherlands and the underdogs Costa Rica. Netherlands have been in supreme touch winning all their matches prior to quarter-final clash. Runners-up in last World Cup Netherlands will surely want one more shot at the glory, but first they need to get past a side who have been instrumental in knocking out former champions Italy and England.

Not many would have given Costa Rica a place in their pre-World Cup predictions but with every passing game they have impressed one and all. As these two teams set out to earn a place in the semi-final here we are with some interesting facts involving both the teams.

1) Unbeaten in this year’s tournament so far, Netherlands’ only defeat in their last 11 World Cup matches came against Spain in the final of 2010 mega-event.

2) The form Netherlands are in makes them an obvious choice of leading goal scorers in this year’s tournament. They have netted 12 goals so far.

3) Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie have failed to score after the first two matches. The duo scored combined six goals out of Netherlands’ eight goals in the opening two games.

4) 30 year old Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has played 15 World Cup games, a Dutch record. He has scored five goals in his last five World Cup knockout matches.

5) This is for the first time Costa Rica have not lost a game out of their four consecutive World Cup matches. They have won two and drawn equal number of games so far.

6) Among the last 8 teams Costa Rica have scored least number of times but also have conceded just two times.

7) Costa Rica have met European opponents on nine occasions at World Cup, winning three, drawing two and losing four times.

8) This will be for the first time Netherlands and Costa Rica go head to head against each other.