Bryan Ruiz

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Costa Rica become second team from CONCACAF to book Russian berth

Costa Rica, with 16 points, joined Mexico (21) in advancing from the North and Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region with three final matches to play on Tuesday.

Can Costa Rica continue their magical run against the mighty Dutch?

At this point in the World Cup, the Dutch know plenty about Costa Rica — once one of the surprise packages of the tournament. What they may not have heard is that Costa Rica's Jorge Luis Pinto learned his coaching from the Dutchman who invented 'total football.'

Brazil vs Colombia clash adds spice to World Cup quarter-finals

For the first time since the FIFA World Cup expanded to 32 teams, all eight group winners have made the quarter-finals.

Rest assured we will not get eliminated in quarterfinals: Costa Rica coach

After a scoreless first half, Ruiz slid his low shot into the right corner of Greece's goal for the lead after a pull-back by winger Christian Bolanos from the left.

Photos: Goalie Keylor Navas shines as Costa Rica end Greece World Cup hopes

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas claimed man-of-the match honours as his side sank Greece in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarter finals for the first time and a clash with the Netherlands. Here are the images:

World Cup: Costa Rica have turned their opponents’ pressure against them

Little nations like Costa Rica are seldom expected to qualify for showpiece tournaments such as this one – let alone stun the footballing world – and that meant that there was no pressure on the team to perform.

World Cup 2014: Costa Rica angry at FIFA for drug testing seven players

Just when it seemed that things were going on smoothly in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2014, a controversy has cropped up after seven Costa Rican players were summoned for dope tests by FIFA after their historic 1-0 win over Italy.

World Cup 2014: Costa Rica topping the Group of Death is no fluke

Costa Rica's performance also shows that how the gap between the big teams and the chasing pack has become much lesser than it was perhaps a decade ago and that can only be good for the game.

World Cup Photos: Costa Rica stun Italy 1-0

Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.

Number Cruncher: Stunning stats from Costa Rica's win over Italy

Ruiz headed powerfully home a minute before halftime to leave Costa Rica fans dancing in the sunshine at Recife's Pernambuco arena.