Tim Krul takes the 'super-sub' label to a new dimension

Dirk Kuyt has been one of the big surprises in the Dutch squad

The Netherlands somehow couldn't breakdown Costa Rica in 120 minutes but they have made it past the Central American surprises thanks in no small part to sub keeper Tim Krul.

Netherlands, the heavy favourites going into the quarter-final clash, were held to a goalless draw by Costa Rica after 120 minutes of football but booked their place in the last four with a 4-3 win in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal made two changes from the side which came from behind to win late against Mexico. Memphis Depay came into midfield in place of Nigel de Jong, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a groin injury, while Bruno Martins Indi came back into the defence in place of Paul Verhaegh.

Costa Rica made one change from the side which started the penalty shootout victory over Greece as Johnny Acosta replaced the suspended Oscar Duarte in defence.

The biggest boost for Costa Rica was the inclusion of Keylor Navas. The goalkeeper missed training earlier in the week with a shoulder injury but shrugged off the knock to take part in the match and made a string of fine saves throughout the match to keep his side level.

Navas first denied Robin van Persie from close range after the Dutch striker was offered a chance on a plate and after Wesley Sneijder followed up the rebound with a right-footed attempt, he too was unable to find a way past the goalkee.er

Depay then went clear through on goal but as he tried to beat Navas at his near post, the goalkeeper showed sublime reflexes to stick out a hopeful leg and block the ball with his shin.

Costa Rica created their best chance of the first half from a free-kick when Celso Borges' delivery fell to Acosta but his overhead kick was scrambled away in the goalmouth.

Netherlands came close to taking the lead before the end of the first half when Sneijder bent a free-kick towards the top corner, only to be denied once again by an outstretched Navas.

The second half did not come to life until the last 10 minutes when another dangerous Sneijder free-kick came back off the post.

That sparked a late surge in pressure from the Netherlands as Van Persie fluffed a chance from two yards out before another effort from the Dutch skipper hit Yeltsin Tejeda on the line and bounced off the underside of the crossbar.

Netherlands were expected to push on for a winner in extra time but Costa Rica were rarely troubled in the 30 additional minutes.

Costa Rica thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the first period of extra time when substitute Marcos Urena went to ground after a clumsy challenge from Ron Vlaar but Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov waved play on.

The introduction of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar did little to swing the game in the Netherlands' favour, with their opponents desperately running the clock down at every opportunity.

Costa Rica almost stole it at the death, too, as Urena burst through the weary Netherlands defence and looked destined to cause a major World Cup upset but his right-footed effort was kept out by Jasper Cillessen, his first save of the game after almost two hours of football.

Sneijder, who looked the most likely goal threat for the Dutch, tried to prevent a penalty shootout and was within inches of a late winner when his wicked 20-yard strike beat Navas and hit the crossbar.

With the shootout imminent, Van Gaal decided to replace first-choice goalkeeper Cillessen with Newcastle stopper Tim Krul and used his remaining substitution to make the change.

The decision paid off. After Celso Borges and Robin van Persie buried the first two penalties of the shootout, Krul guessed correctly to keep out Bryan Ruiz's spot kick.

Robben gave the Netherlands an advantage when he followed up the miss by finding the top corner with his spot kick.

Giancarlo Gonzalez put things back on track for Costa Rica when he converted his penalty but the Netherlands never deterred as Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt beat Navas from 12-yards.

Michael Umana missed the crucial penalty, meaning the dutch won 4-3 in the shootout, setting up a semi-final clash against Argentina in Sao Paolo on Wednesday.