Round of 16 preview: Costa Rica v Greece

A win will mean that one team in Recife will make it to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in history.

Costa Rica surprised many by finishing first in Group D, ahead of Italy, England and Uruguay [EPA]

History will be made on Sunday, as a win in their round of 16 match-up will push either Costa Rica or Greece to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Costa Rica emerged atop one of toughest groups in the tournament, finishing ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England. “We were the Cinderella and now we are favorites. That’s respect and we earned it,” Costa Rica defender Michael Umana said.

Meanwhile, Greece didn’t score in its two first games of the tournament, but beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on an injury-time penalty to finish second in Group C.

Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell played for Greek champions Olympiakos last season, and four of his teammates at the Athens-based team are playing for Greece.

Greece prides itself on defensive prowess and a measured approach to the game. “Our tactics have been the same in all the games: To stay tight in defence to contain the opponents and stay dangerous in attack,” Greece coach Fernando Santos said.

Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Kick-off: June 29, 2000GMT

Key stats: Costa Rica reached the second round only once before, in 1990, when it lost to Czechoslovakia, while Greece has never made it out of the group stage.

Veteran midfielders Giorgios Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis were members of the Greek squad that won the European Championship in 2004.

Source: AP