DHAKA: Costa Rica kept their World Cup dream alive as they beat Greece on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the last 16 on Sunday.        

Earmarked as whipping boys having been drawn alongside England, Italy and Uruguay in Group D, Jorge Luis Pinto's men shocked the world by winning the pool with a haul of seven points.        

And another chapter was written in their remarkable story in Recife on Sunday as, following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, they triumphed in the shootout against a Greece side who know all about beating the odds following their Euro 2004 victory 10 years ago.

That Costa Rica even forced spot-kicks was incredible given they suffered the heartbreak of seeing Sokratis Papastathopoulos force extra time with a last-gasp strike.

At that stage, it appeared Oscar Duarte's 66th-minute sending off, which came after Bryan Ruiz put the South Americans ahead, would prove decisive.

But having produced a string of stunning saves to deny Greece in outfield play, Keylor Navas was the hero of the shootout as he kept out Theofanis Gekas' effort.   

Despite the pressure of attempting to take Costa Rica to the quarter-finals for the first time, Michael Umana then coolly converted to set up a last-eight meeting with Netherlands.

The game initially lived up to its billing of vibrant attack meeting dogged defence as Costa Rica surged forward with verve.

Costa Rica's endeavour almost brought early reward, too, when Christian Bolanos powerfully struck over from a tight angle.

Greece enjoyed a good spell themselves thereafter, although their final ball left a lot to be desired.

That was also the story at the other end as Costa Rica failed to make the most of good openings with the match becoming increasingly stretched, reported goal.com.

BDST: 0852 HRS, JUN 30, 2014