In a quarterfinals group containing futbol giants like Brazil and Argentina, Costa Rica is the odd man out.

Stellar play from goalkeeper Keylor Navas guided La Sele into shocking victories over Uruguay and Italy, tying for fewest World Cup goals allowed through the group stage. Their disciplined defense and opportune counter-attack simmered as the tournament advanced.

The CONCACAF nation drew with England before beating Greece on penalties, a contest Los Ticos never looked comfortable in. Additionally, forwards Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz were headaches through the first two group games but only Ruiz has scored since.

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben head a Dutch team that has yet to lose or take a game into extra time. The star strikers combined for seven of Holland's World Cup-leading 12 goals, including four in a thrashing of defending champion Spain.

Mexico nearly took their Round of 16 match into extra time before a controversial trip of Robben led to a penalty kick. They were down in the second half and relied on last-second heroics to advance. With key midfielder Nigel de Jong's groin injury sidelining him for the remainder of the tournament, le Oranje needs to avoid another sluggish start by tightening up their formation.

When: Saturday, July 5, 2014

Where: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

Kick-off: 1:00 p.m. ET

Live Stream: Watch ESPN, Univision Deportes

TV: ESPN, Univision

What to Watch For:

History repeating itself - Holland knows how to lose big games. Before their 2010 World Cup final loss to Spain, they lost consecutive finals to West Germany and Argentina in 1974 and 1978, respectively. Trips to the Round of 16 in 1990 and 2006 proved futile, as did their World Cup qualifying bid in 2002 when they didn't even advance.

As one of the most feared footballing nations in the world, the Dutch have yet to find their way to a championship.

A CONCACAF team hasn't reached the semifinals since 1930. With Holland's stalwart defense and quick counter-attack, Costa Rica's chances of advancing are slim. The Ticos already exceeded expectation in reaching the final eight; they will need a little bit of luck to move on.

Stopping Van Persie and Robben -Robben and Van Persie are the anchors in the tournament's most dangerous offense.

The duo constantly found holes in El Tri's backfield by being tight and precise in their attacks. Robben isn't used to a center role alongside van Persie but adjusted well as the World Cup progressed.

Navas has made numerous spectacular saves while only conceding two goals. It will be up to the Costa Rican defense to ensure the Netherlands don't tally up another one. Van Persie has three goals in three matches so far and wasn't fazed by Guillermo Ochoa's outstanding goalkeeping last week. He didn't score but set up numerous opportunities for a Dutch victory.

Costa Rica's hopes of advancing lie in handling Holland's assassins.

Prediction - La Sele's storybook run ends when they can't stop van Persie and Robben. Netherlands 3-1

Projected Lineups:

Costa Rica (5-4-1): Keylor Navas, Junior Diaz, Michael Umana, Johnny Acosta, Giancarlos Gonzalez, Cristian Gamboa, Christian Bolanos, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell

Netherlands (4-3-3): Jasper Cillessen, Bruno Martins Indi, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Dirk Kuyt Daley Blind, Jonathan de Guzman, Daryl Janmaat, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie