World Cup 2014 last 16 preview: Costa Rica v Greece

This last 16 encounter will be a tale of two true underdogs, as shock Group D winners Costa Rica, odds-on at 4/5 to qualify for the quarter-finals, clash with unexpected contenders Greece.

It will be a historic first meeting for the two sides, with the Central American minnows and gritty Europeans both hoping to record a landmark win.

For former European Champions Greece, it will also be the first time they have appeared in the World Cup knockout stages, whilst relative old hands Costa Rica have made it to the last 16 once before, at Italia ‘90. On that occasion, having lost talismanic goalkeeper Luis Cabelo Conejo, they were eliminated 4-1 by Czechoslovakia.

A film recently released in honour of that legendary run, which also happened to be Los Ticos’ debut on the global stage, seems to have done a magnificent job of inspiring the current squad. Costa Rica are odds-on at 6/4 to win in 90 minutes against the Pirate Ship, and may one day see their successes immortalised on the silver screen too.

Los Ticos, a tempting 5/1 to make it to the semi-finals, enter the game with a tremendous tournament record of two wins and one draw, which is no mean feat from a group that included former winners Italy, England and Uruguay. Before their amazing Group D exploits, though, their World Cup warm-up form was far from encouraging.

Costa Rica’s last six international friendlies include four defeats and a draw, with the Central Americans shipping eleven goals, and illustrating serious vulnerability in defence. They have yet to crumble in Brazil though, only conceding once.

Resisting the understandable urge to park the bus against more illustrious teams, Costa Rica have been a joy to watch, taking on the big boys with no trace of fear or an inferiority complex. Pacey full backs with the ability to bomb forward, along with fantastic organisation and energetic pressing high up the pitch, have been key to their success so far.