World Cup

Netherlands, Argentina Advance to Semifinals

Defeating Costa Rica and Belgium.

In a day of low-scoring but intense action in Brazil, Argentina defeated Belgium 1-0 and the Netherlands scraped past Costa Rica on penalty kicks 0-0 (4-3) to advance to the World Cup semifinals. The Netherlands-Costa Rica game was the second game in a row Costa Rica's Ticos have gone to a penalty shootout; despite being dominated by the Orange Crush in the second half, they refused to be beaten. They found a second wind in the final minutes, forcing Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to make his first save of the game. The Netherlands swapped him for taller goalie Tim Krul for the shootout, and Krul saved two of the Ticos' shots to hand them a heartbreaking loss. The Netherlands will face Argentina on July 9, and Brazil and Germany face off on July 8.