(CNN) -- It was supposed to be a formality, but the Netherlands was made to sweat against Costa Rica before eventually overcoming the 2014 World Cup's surprise package and booking a place in the semifinals Saturday. Substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero, saving two penalties to secure a 4-3 shootout victory after this tense, nervous quarterfinal finished goalless. Incredibly, the Newcastle man was brought on in the 29th minute of extra time with the sole job of denying "Los Ticos" in the spot-kick showdown. It earned the Dutch a second consecutive semifinals appearance, having lost to Spain in the title match four years ago.
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The Netherlands into World Cup semifinals after defeating Costa Rica in Salvador
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Game finishes 0-0 but the Dutch win penalty shootout 4-3
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Louis van Gaal's team will now play Argentina in semifinals on Wednesday
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Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 in Saturday's other quarterfinal
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@placeholder prowled around his area in an attempt to psyche out the Costa Rica penalty takers, pointing to his eye to let them know he'd done his homework.