Surprise Packages…
Who expected Costa Rica to be playing in a World Cup quarter-final? Who expected them to beat Uruguay, Italy and draw with England to emerge from a group that included three former World Cup winners. They would go on to beat Greece and reach the last eight of the tournament for the first time. Only a penalty shootout defeat against the Netherlands would deny them a place in the semi-final.
There were plenty of other surprises, including Algeria and Nigeria both making the knockout round and putting up strong displays against Germany and France respectively, World Champions Spain exiting in the group stage and the performances of Colombia and Chile – who both will be disappointed not to have progressed further in the tournament.
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