Led by skipper Bryan Ruiz, they qualified for the quarter-finals in a memorable tournament in Brazil, which will go down as one of the most surprising underdog stories in World Cup history.

Costa Rica went into the 2014 World Cup with a squad that was energetic, highly experienced and buoyed by both captain Bryan Ruiz, and defensive steel in the form of Michael Umaña and Keylor Navas.

Costa Rica’s road to Russia was comfortable. They clinched second spot in the last round of qualifying, finishing seven points clear of the playoff spot. It was a rocky start in the final phase, drawing against Panama and losing to the United States.

However, victories against Jamaica and Honduras steadied the ship as they put themselves in the driver's seat and qualified with a further win against Mexico.

Los Ticos never lost a match in which the skipper Bryan Ruiz scored, while there were a total of nine different goal scorers for Costa Rica in the final phase of qualifying.

This pointed towards impending pitfalls in the final third for Luis Pinto. Who would bury their chances?

The cracks began to show at the beginning of the year as preparation for the World Cup was disastrous. In their first two friendlies in 2014, they were humbled 4-0 by Chile when Michael Umana was sent off, before losing 1-0 to South Korea, where they again were reduced to ten men.

Their only win pre-World Cup was a 2-1 victory over Paraguay at home, while days out from the World Cup a 3-1 loss to Japan and an embarrassing 1-1 draw at home to Ireland had pundits writing Costa Rica off their dark horse lists.

Their form pre-World Cup pointed towards a team that lacked cohesion, discipline and chemistry, but no-one would have predicted that this team was about to make history.

Their first group game put them up against a side that were favourites to go deep in the competition, Uruguay. Edinson Cavani slotted a penalty home just before the half hour mark and were on top for the first half.

But Luis Pinto switched things up and brought the game back on level pegging when Joel Campbell rifled in a left-footed volley past a helpless Fernando Muslera.

Seconds later, Los Ticos were in front as Christian Bolanos’ cross to the back post found a diving Oscar Duarte who headed across goal and into the side netting.

Marcos Urena sealed a momentous three points against Uruguay with a finish past the legs of the goalkeeper.

Costa Rica were on cloud nine, but their next challenge seemed even greater. Four time champions Italy, who had just beaten England 2-1, was all that was standing in their way. Win and they were through.

Costa Rica rode their luck with numerous chances squandered by Azzurri striker Mario Balotelli. The game was calling out for someone to break the ice.

Up stepped the skipper.

A sumptuous cross to the back post from Junior Diaz found Bryan Ruiz who scored one of the goals of the tournament. Jumping with full momentum to meet the ball, he arched his head back to make contact, the ball slammed the under side of the crossbar and sent Costa Rica into euphoria.

Italy had no response and Los Ticos felt they could take on the world.

A 0-all draw against England gave Luis Pinto’s side their seventh point as they qualified top of their group and were set to face Greece in the round of 16.

The match was make or break, on the cusp of a new unique story being written, Greece were not the best side but were plucky. Costa Rica struck first, the skipper coming up trumps again with a finish so cool into the bottom corner you had to stop to clap.

Minute 66. Heartbreak. Oscar Duarte received his second yellow card and was sent off. Costa Rican hearts were in throats, their dreams were just in reach. Greece piled the pressure on and with seconds left the ball was hoofed into the box, Theofanis Gekas with the shot, saved by Navas but poked home by Sokratis. Dreams shattered.

It would come down to extra time and penalties.

https://youtu.be/HgGcAz3vmkA

The spot kicks were flawless when Joel Campbell put Costa Rica 4-3 in the lead. The man who almost equalised at the end of regular time, the Greek legend Gekas stepped up, shot to his left and Navas came up with the save of his career to deny.

Michael Umaña needed it to be his best penalty, to show leadership from the spot. He struck into the top corner and a new chapter was written. With that kick, they became the most successful side in their nations history advancing to the quarter-finals.

Their fairytale journey would end against the Netherlands where penalties would deny them a chance at touching the sun. The skipper Ruiz’s penalty was saved by Tim Krul while the hero in Recife Umaña was denied by Louis Van Gaal’s masterstroke substitute again.

There time had ended, but it will never be forgotten with captain Bryan Ruiz saying “After that game (vs Greece) it felt like we had just won the World Cup”.

Much of the same team is set to take the stage in Russia in a few days time, can they dare to dream and go even further?