Tim Krull stars as Netherlands stops giant killing Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties

 The Netherlands line up for a penalty shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between the Netherlands and Costa Rica at Arena Fonte Nova on July 5, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

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SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) — Tim Krul came on as a substitute in the final minute of extra time and then saved two penalties in a 4-3 shootout victory over Costa Rica on Saturday, giving the Netherlands a spot in the World Cup semifinals.

"We had a lot of chances but it didn't go in," Krul said on Dutch television. "Then I come in, stop two penalties and here we are."Krul saved spot kicks from Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana after the  match had finished 0-0.

In another stroke of tactical genius at this year's World Cup, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal pulled Jasper Cillessen moments after the Ajax goalkeeper had saved a shot from Marcos Urena in extra time.

"The trick is good," said Krul, who plays for Newcastle. "A lot of preparation went into it."

The Dutch team will next face Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday in Sao Paulo.

Costa Rica shocks favorite Uruguay 3-1

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It's not quite Netherlands 5-1 Spain, but it's an upset nonetheless. Costa Rica came from behind to beat Uruguay, 3-1, at the Estádio Castelão to get their Group D campaign off to the best possible start, perhaps demolishing Uruguay's dreams of a repeat semifinal run in the process.

Uruguay's issues in midfield showed up early, but they nearly went ahead 15 minutes in anyway. Edinson Cavani flicked on a Diego Forlán free kick, and the ball was scrambled over the line by the flailing Diego Godin. Fortunately for Costa Rica, the linesman ruled the strike out for offside.

The Ticos should have learned to tighten up on set pieces from that incident, but they didn't. 22 minutes in, Yeltsin Tejeda clattered Cristian Rodríguez, giving Forlán another chance at swinging in a delivery. His effect didn't actually reach Diego Lugano, but that's only because Júnior Díaz was busy hugging Uruguay's captain to the ground. Felix Brych quickly gave the penalty despite some furious (and misguided) protests.

Up stepped Cavani. The Paris Saint-Germain star had already scuffed a volley quite laughably wide, and his record from the spot had never been particularly great, but his penalty was perfect, easily beating Keylor Navas despite the Levante goalkeeper guessing the right way. Up 1-0 and against an unfancied side, Uruguay looked completely in control.