This was the quarterfinal I expected to be a blowout. It's also a perfect example of why I should let my simulator make the predictions, as it is the only game this round that wasn't. What's more, it is a game between two teams who do not have official roster names in FIFA 2002.
After 40 minutes of Los Ticos chasing orange jerseys around the field, "No. 24" for Costa Rica stole the ball in the Dutch end and struck one past their keeper to give his team first blood. the Oranje played the rest of the game in desperation mode. Surely, they didn't want to let their little brother Belgium show them up?
In the second half, the Netherlands took advantage of a smart corner to tie the game ("No. 1", '66). They were desperate for the go-ahead goal, firing many shots off-target, but managed to find what they were looking for late. "No. 33" put them ahead on a breakaway at '79 and turned the pressure up for Los Ticos.
That stood up as the game winner when the clock struck '90. Being that this Costa Rica group was the same team that did worse in simulation than in real life (my only incorrect prediction last round was their game against Greece), they did not have it in them to equalize. I have to wonder if the real team can pull off the upset. I guess we'll find out in a few hours.
Final result: 2 -1 Netherlands
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