( CNN ) -- Nobody gave them a chance -- nobody . Perhaps nobody was listening . Perhaps they did n't want to . For all of the joking and laughing that Costa Rica would simply turn up in Brazil to make up the numbers , there were those who knew the reality would be different . `` Think big '' is the motto that Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto has always subscribed to . And the Colombian practices what he preaches -- qualification from the group stage was always going to be achieved if you speak to those within the Costa Rican camp . Bravado ? A fool 's hope ? No , this is a side which plays with a belief that comes straight from the very top and trickles through the veins of its players . But it would be foolish to claim that this team has only succeeded because of the spirit which Pinto has engendered -- it has talent too , lots of it . Greece , also playing in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time , fell the way of Uruguay and Italy on Sunday , beaten by a side playing with a confidence and belief that appears to be unshakable . With the game having reached penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw inside 120 minutes , both sets of players had already given everything they had . Costa Rica 's players , who had already suffered the ignominy of having victory snatched away from them , appeared to be running through treacle as they dragged their tired limbs down the field , stretching every muscle and sinew . But having survived to make it through to penalties , those same players found the strength and skill to write yet another chapter in this incredible tale . All seven players had scored and , with his side trailing at 3-4 in the shootout , Theofanis Gekas strode towards the penalty spot . But there was a look in his eyes -- fear . Time appeared to stand still . The 34-year-old looked at the ball , looked at the goal -- but that look of trepidation never left his face . Perhaps Navas had noticed , perhaps he had n't . It mattered little . For when Gekas stepped forward and placed the ball to the goalkeeper 's right , Navas flew across to palm the ball away . History beckoned . Forward came Michael Umana -- a 31-year-old defender who plays in his home country with Deportivo Saprissa . He placed the ball down , a piece of grass stuck to his cheek courtesy of the sweat which dripped from his brow . He drew a breath . There was no shimmy , no stutter , no hesitation . As the ball hit the back of the net , those in white shirts forgot the aches and pains which had left their limbs in agony . Whereas moments ago they could barely walk , now those men draped in the flag of Costa Rica danced their way into the Brazilian night . `` Last night , I dreamed this , '' Umana told reporters . `` It seems untrue . I was relaxed because I dreamed it . I dreamed it but I did n't tell anyone . I felt very confident . `` This is for my family . It 's for the colleagues who got injured before coming here . They 're not with us , but they gave us a hand on the pitch . '' In the end this proved to be a rather exciting contest -- a world away from what was served up in the opening 45 minutes . It was Greece that produced the only real opportunity eight minutes before the interval when Dimitris Salpingidis forced Navas into a fine reflex save from close range . At least the second half was better -- both sides dispensing with their cautious approaches and attempting to take the advantage . Giorgios Samaras tested Navas with a powerful header as Greece , which qualified following a dramatic late victory over the Ivory Coast , began to move forward with purpose . But just as it appeared that Greece was ready to take control , Costa Rica pounced . Captain Bryan Ruiz , the man whose goal saw off Italy , was the hero once again -- taking Cristian Bolanos ' pass in his stride before carefully placing his effort beyond the reach of Orestis Karnezis in the Greek goal . That strike sparked scenes of jubilation on the touchline with Pinto , animated at the best of times , celebrating his team 's latest success . Having only conceded once in three previous games , Costa Rica 's defense looked more than comfortable as Greece attempted a fightback . But with 24 minutes remaining , disaster struck for Los Ticos . Duarte , one of the team 's most dependable members , rushed into a challenge on Jose Cholevas , taking out the Greek player and earning himself a second yellow card . As referee Ben Williams held the red card aloft , Duarte left the pitch almost inconsolable , leaving behind his 10 teammates to try to hang on . And hold out it did -- Costa Rica 's tenacious approach kept goalkeeper Navas almost unemployed as the clock began to tick down . But just as its players began to dream of the quarterfinals , Greece , one of the most belligerent teams in international football , proved why it remains so difficult to beat . With 90 minutes up , substitute Gekas ' low shot was only parried by Navas and Papastathopoulous lashed home . While the Costa Ricans fell to their knees , those in blue continued the onslaught knowing its opponent had been wounded . It might have even won it inside the 90 minutes had it not been for a wonderful save by Navas , somehow reaching to tip Kostas Mitroglou 's header over the crossbar . With neither side able to find the elusive winning goal , the tie moved into 30 minutes of extra time . As Costa Rica began to tire , it was Greece which took control and Mitroglou was denied a dramatic late winner by Navas when the striker looked certain to score . That ensured the tie would be decided on penalties and when Gekas had his effort saved , Umana stood up to rewrite history . A tie with the Netherlands in Salvador next Saturday is the reward for this Costa Rican team -- a game in which no doubt it will be written off once again . But for now Costa Rica 's players will do what they 've done from the very start . They 'll `` think big . ''
Costa Rica defeats Greece 5-3 on penalties . Theofanis Gekas the man to miss from the spot . Bryan Ruiz gave Costa Rica 48th minute lead . Sokratis Papastathopoulos netted a dramatic late equalizer .