Fifa World Cup 2014, Netherlands vs. Costa Rica: Where to Watch Live, Prediction, Preview and Betting Odds

Follow live coverage of Netherlands v Costa Rica here

Netherlands take on Costa Rica in the quarterfinal of the 2014 Fifa World Cup at the Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, on Saturday.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 9pm BST. Live coverage is on BBC One and BBC One HD. Radio commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

Netherlands posted a comeback victory over Mexico to reach the quarterfinals tournament in Brazil last Sunday. After a goalless first half, the Dutch went behind to a brilliant effort from Giovani dos Santos in the 48<sup>th minute.

Goalkeeping sensation Guillermo Ochoa made save after save to deny Louis van Gaal's side again and again. But his goal was finally breached in the 88<sup>th minute as Wesley Sneijder smashed home an unstoppable shot from just inside the box.

Netherlands continued to attack and just as the game was poised to enter extra time, Arjen Robben danced through to get close to the byline inside the box. However, it appeared as if he was fouled by Rafael Marquez and the referee awarded a penalty.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar kept his cool and sent Ochoa the wrong way from the spot to put his team in to the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica registered a hard fought victory via penalty shootouts against Greece at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. The first goal of the game came in the 52<sup>nd minute as Bryan Ruiz's feeble attempt from outside the box rolled past Orestis Karnezis to give the South Americans the lead.

However, the 2004 European champions still had some firepower left in them and equalised in injury time courtesy of Sokratis Papastathapoulos' effort. Frenando Santos' men nearly won the game but Konstantinos Mitroglou's header was tipped away by Keylor Navas.

With the scores level at 1-1, extra-time failed to break the deadlock and the Costa Rican players netted all their spot-kicks while Navas denied Theofanis Gekas from the spot to help his team win 5-3.

Netherlands are clear favourites with considerable talents available in every position. But Jorge Luis Pinto's side have proven that they cannot be underestimated. The Ticos progressed from the so called 'Group of Death' – Group D – as winners having put Uruguay and Italy to the sword.

The 61-year-old Colombian will be hoping that his side can pull off another giant killing act at world stage and attempt to guide his side into the last four for the first time in their history.

The winner from this quarterfinal clash is scheduled to play at the Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, against Argentina or Belgiumin the semi-final next Wednesday.

What Managers Say

Jorge Luis Pinto: "This is a big, big result. Words can't describe how I feel right now. We were full of confidence in the shoot-out, and that goes for the goalkeeper, who was amazing, and the penalty takers, who were just perfect. We're delighted and we'd like to dedicate this win to all the people of Costa Rica. We will meet an extraordinary team, winners in the world with great players, but we are happy. We respect the Netherlands, just as we respect all our rivals, but the story goes on and we're hungry for more."

Louis van Gaal: Let me tell you, the Dutch media thought we would never survive the first round, so how we ended up becoming up favourites I'll never know. This group of players is very modest. We have outstanding spirit, outstanding atmosphere and that led to victory. Costa Rica are very difficult opponents, otherwise they wouldn't have ended up in a quarter final.

Prediction: Netherlands 3-0 Costa Rica

Betting Odds (Bwin)