Holland 0 Costa Rica 0 (Holland win 4-3 on penalties)

LOUIS VAN GAAL dramatically switched goalkeepers minutes before the end of extra time to see Holland beat Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties.

Newcastle keeper Tim Krul’s only two touches in the game stopped Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana from the spot while the Dutch converted all their penalties to set up a semi-final meeting with Argentina in the last four after their 1-0 win against Belgium.

Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas had recovered from a shoulder injury to start the march and was named man of the match, while his opposite number — for most of the 120 minutes — also kept a clean sheet to set up the shootout.

The Oranje were repeatedly denied by Navas and also hit the woodwork three times, including in the final minute of normal time when Yeltsin Tejeda made a goal-line deflection onto the crossbar.

Van Gaal explained the decision to bring on Krul was planned.

“We told Krul that he would be a possibility for the penalties, but we didn’t tell Cillessen, as we didn’t want to ruin his preparation,” said the coach.

But there was still “no question” that Cillessen would be back between the posts against Argentina, he said.

La Albiceleste had an easier time of it on Saturday, pushing out a low-key Belgium with a single goal less than eight minutes into the game.

Gonzalo Higuain outshone Lionel Messi to take Argentina to the last four for the first time since 1990, when Diego Maradona’s side finished runners-up.

It was Messi’s 91st appearance for Argentina, putting him joint sixth in the most-capped player ratings alongside Maradona.