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Netherlands vs Costa Rica World Cup 2014 match preview: Five reasons why Netherlands will beat Costa Rica

The sides meet in a quarter-final in Salvador bidding for a place in the final four

Will Baker-Griffin

Saturday 05 July 2014 16:38 BST

Netherlands celebrate their second goal against Chile (GETTY IMAGES)

Ahead of Saturday's quarter-final meeting, we find a few reasons for the impressive Dutch to look forward to facing underdogs Costa Rica.

Follow Netherlands v Costa Rica live here

1. Goals, goals, goals

If there is one thing you are guaranteed to see when the Netherlands take to the field, it is that they will find the back of the net. Louis van Gaal’s side are the tournament’s top scorers, with 12 goals – an average of three goals per game. The Dutch demolished reigning champions Spain in their opening group game, beating the seasoned Iker Casillas an incredible five times. This was followed by three against Australia, and a double past a strong, well-organised Chilean outfit. Even when it seemed the goals had dried up, with the Oranje heading out to Mexico, two late strikes in as many minutes restored normality, sending them through to the last eight.

2. Total football

Van Gaal is a manager renowned for his positive, attacking football. It has always been the Dutch way and the current boss has certainly instilled this philosophy into the current crop of players. The Netherlands have been the tournament’s most exhilarating side to watch, with the speed, skill and fluidity of their attacks being breath-taking at times. With Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder on the flanks, it only takes a flash to go from defending a corner to celebrating a goal. Costa Rica will need to constantly be on their toes, putting on the defensive performance of a lifetime. Otherwise, they will almost certainly be sent packing and put on the next plane home.

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

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1/10World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

James Rodriguez

The player who has most seized this World Cup, and thereby most seized attention. James might have been a marvellous talent on the radar of top clubs before this tournament, and the £38m Monaco paid last summer reflected his potential, but the 22-year-old has simply moved onto a different level. It is quite a quirk that Manchester United could have got him for £5m back in 2010, because he could command anything up to £80m now. Real Madrid are believed to be leading the chase. Rodriguez has set quite a pace.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Guillermo Ochoa

Was his display against Brazil the outstanding performance of the first round? Given the stakes, the pressure, and the extent of the siege, there is certainly an argument for it. Either way, there seems little argument that Ochoa has been the outstanding goalkeeper of the tournament so far. The sheer number of high-profile high-quality saves that the 28-year-old produced are in stark contrast to what has been a humble club career, having spent three years at lowly Ajaccio. Last season, they got relegated to Ligue 2. This summer, he should have earned a move to a better level.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Alexis Sanchez

All of a sudden, it seems ludicrous that Barcelona would consider selling Alexis, let alone use him as a mere makeweight on a deal to bring someone else in. The Chilean may have been largely under-whelming in his three years at Camp Nou, but this World Cup re-asserted why they initially signed him, as well as what kind of player he can be when used correctly. The two goals against Spain and Brazil were a display of his elite finishing, the pace that brought them the kind of dynamic play top clubs crave.

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Karim Benzema

On top of the world right now, but also someone that finds himself in a similar situation to Alexis: Real Madrid would gladly bring in what they perceive to be a better forward, but he has used this tournament to illustrate the folly of that. Benzema has been one of the best players of the first four games, combining clutch finishing with classy build-up play that has been central to France’s joyful resurgence as a world force again. He has also enjoyed his own resurgence. Benzema is finally looking like the devastating talent that Real first signed for so much money. He could command a similar figure again.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Vincent Enyeama

It was the 31-year-old goalkeeper’s error that ultimately cost Nigeria the last-16 game against France, but that was all the more conspicuous because he had been so solid before then. In fact, it was arguably Enyeama’s supreme late save against Bosnia and Herzegovina that brought Nigeria so far, given the ultimately slim margin with which they won that game 1-0 and then qualified. It was not the only such stop, and even the 2-0 defeat to France saw plenty of defiance. Lille can expect some interest.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Islam Slimani

Algeria were one of the most progressive teams of the opening four games, and Slimani their brightest player. Just turned 26, his career has shown a steady upward curve, moving from CR Belouizdad to Sporting Lisbon in 2013, and now making his ability all the more widely known. The two goals in four World Cup games also mark a superior scoring ratio to recent seasons, and the type of productivity he should be offering as he approaches his prime. Slimani looks ready for one of Europe’s primary leagues.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Daryl Janmaat

Beyond the three established stars of Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, it is Daryl Janmaat who almost personifies the youthful nature of this Netherlands team. He is 24, still based at home with Feyenoord, and is one of their many defenders that has impressed in this tournament with his maturity. Janmaat has arguably made himself the pick of them, especially for the solid consistency he has demonstrated throughout, as well as the way he allows a more counter-attacking Dutch side to turn defence into attack. It won’t be too long until he personifies this team in another way: moving abroad.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Miralem Pjanic

The Roma midfielder’s easy talent was widely known before this tournament, but perhaps the key is that he’s applied it in difficult circumstances. Out of a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that almost totally under-performed and went out in such disappointing fashion, Pjanic was one of a handful players – as well as Muhamed Besic – that played above his level. A host of top European clubs were interested in the 24-year-old before this World Cup. They will now have to pay even more than anticipated.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Bryan Ruiz

To think that this was a player Fulham have been all too happy to discard, banishing him on loan to PSV Eindhoven last season. Of course, much of that was the fault of Ruiz himself . He looked conspicuously lazy in a team full of languid attackers. That appears to have revitalised him. Ruiz has been the driving force of Costa Rica’s historic tournament. It was not just about the goals he scored that brought such momentous results against Italy and Greece. It is also about the touches and technique, as he’s now really doing what a player of his talent should. Fulham can surely earn a much higher price now.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Ricardo Rodriguez

With the way he surges forward from full-back, the 21-year-old has epitomised the adventurous and brave nature of this impressive Swiss team, and he has proven so productive in their energetic attacks. The exceptional Xherdan Shaqiri has particularly benefited from the space that Rodriguez spots and creates. That follows on from the nine assists he cleverly created for Wolsfburg last season. Having already spent two years in the Bundesliga after a move from Zurich, he has undoubtedly displayed that he is prepared for a higher level.

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3. Big game players

The Netherlands boast an array of world-class talent in their ranks, who on their day are capable of overcoming any opponent put in front of them. At only 22, centre-back Stefan de Vrij has proven to be a solid and reliable player, as well as showing his capabilities at the other end by netting against Spain. Danny Blind has received numerous plaudits for his performances at left back and has a great future ahead. However, it is in attack where Louis van Gaal’s side really flourish. In Arjen Robben, they possess one of the most skilful and dangerous wingers in world football. Add to that one of the planet’s most deadly and unpredictable strikers in Robin van Persie, and you have a formidable team.

4. Experiencing in winning trophies

No, we are not talking about the Netherlands’ experience of winning. In fact, although the Dutch have contended three World Cup finals, they have never actually won the coveted trophy. We are talking about the experience of winning domestic trophies throughout the current squad. Jasper Cillessen and Daley Blind were both part of the Ajax team which won the most recent Eredivisie title. Nigel de Jong has tasted Premier League and FA Cup success during his time with Manchester City, while Jonathan de Guzman was part of Swansea’s League Cup winning side. Furthermore, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Perise have collectively won two Champions League titles, three Premier League titles, three Bundesliga titles, two La Liga titles and a Serie A title. If there are players from any country who know what going all the way feels like, they are from the Netherlands.

Robin van Persie scores a header in the Netherlands' 5-1 victory over Spain (Getty Images)

Costa Rica have gone as far as they can as the underdogs

Costa Rica are undoubtedly the surprise package at this World Cup. However, there has to come a point when things start going to plan. Having massively overachieved to progress from Group D as winners, Costa Rica earned themselves a favourable round of 16 draw against Greece. The energy-sapping group games seemed to take their toll against Greece, the Central Americans looking tired, sluggish and vulnerable for the first time. Fortunately, they took the game to penalties and came out victors. However, should Costa Rica manage to take Saturday’s quarter-final to extra-time, the Netherlands – with their superior ability and superior fitness – will be far too much to handle and no shootout will be required.

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