Photos: Tim Krul's heroics power Netherlands into World Cup Semis

[caption id=“attachment_1605423” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s masterstroke of substituting Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul in the dying minutes of extra time paid rich dividends as Netherlands edged out Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties to enter the World Cup 2014 semi-finals. Costa Rica’s midfielder Celso Borges converted the first penalty with a calm left-footed strike to the bottom right corner. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605427” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Robin van Persie stepped up for Netherlands and made it 1-1. He too targeted the bottom right corner and successfully managed to beat the keeper. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605433” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz tried to go the same way but Krul dived to make a good stop. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605435” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Tim Krul celebrates after saving Ruiz’s penalty. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605439” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Arjen Robben then smashed one to the top left corner, sending the keeper wrong way to make it 2-1. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605445” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Costa Rica’s Giancarlo Gonzalez made it 2-2 s he crunched one to the right, Krul went the right way but was beaten by the pace. Wesley Snijder made it 3-2 to Netherlands, sending the keeper wrong way. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605451” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Costa Rica’s Christian Bolanos (front) walks up to take his penalty shot. Bolanos made it 3-3 as he smashed one to the top left corner, Krul went the right way but didn’t manage to save it. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605453” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Dirk Kuyt then made it 4-3 to the Dutch as he fired in a shot low to the left of the keeper. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605457” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] This was the moment that sent the Netherlands fans into a frenzy as Krul saved Michael Umana’s penalty and helped Netherlands book a place in the semis of the World Cup. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1605467” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Goalkeeper Tim Krul of the Netherlands celebrates with teammates after the penalty shootout. Van Gaal’s tactical masterclass and Krul’s heroics saved the day for the Dutch. Reuters[/caption]