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?