The Netherlands have made it through to the World Cup semi-finals after beating Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes in Salvador on Sunday morning.

The Netherlands were the hot favourites to advance, but they could not find a way past Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas.

Wesley Sneijder hit the post with a brilliant second-half free-kick, and then hit the crossbar with a curling shot at the death, but the Oranje did not get the goal they required.

Christian Bolanos had the best chance for Costa Rica when his long run ended in a shot saved by Dutch keeper Jasper Cilissen.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal substituted Cilissen in the 120th minute for reserve keeper Tim Krul, and the move paid off with Krul saving two penalties to send the Netherlands through to a semi-final against Argentina.

More to follow.