World Cup 2014: Costa Rica Shock World Reaching Quarterfinals; Mexico, USA Exit In Round Of 16

2014 Costa Rican World Cup Team prior to its encounter against the Netherlands/Photo Courtesy – Rodrigo Calvo

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  26 June 2026)

History was made in 2014 as the FIFA World Cup returned to Brazil for the first time since 1950. A record-equaling four Concacaf qualifiers (first since 2006) made the journey to South America, culminating in a historic, record-breaking run for Costa Rica into the quarterfinals, while both Mexico and the USA battled through grueling groups only to fall in the Round of 16, and Honduras bowed out in the group stage.

Group E: Honduras Struggles in a Grueling Group

Under the guidance of Colombian-born coach Luis Fernando Suárez, Honduras was making its third World Cup appearance, eager to build on their 2010 campaign. Placed in Group E alongside France, Ecuador, and Switzerland, the Catrachos faced a steep uphill battle.

Honduras opened its tournament on 15 June at Porto Alegre’s Estádio Beira-Rio against a star-studded France side. Before a crowd of 43,012 spectators, Honduras struggled to contain the European giants, playing the second half with ten men after Wilson Palacios received a red card. Karim Benzema converted the ensuing penalty (45’) and later added another (72’), alongside a goal-line technology-assisted own goal (48’), hand France a comfortable 3:0 victory.

Five days later on 20 June, Honduras traveled to Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada to face Ecuador. It was a highly personal matchup as Ecuador was coached by Colombian native Reinaldo Rueda—the very man who had coached Honduras in the 2010 World Cup. Honduras ignited hope early when Carlo Costly smashed home a brilliant opener in the 31st minute, marking the nation’s first World Cup goal in 32 years. However, Enner Valencia answered back with a pair of tallies (34’, 65’) for Ecuador before 39,224 fans, condemning Honduras to a heartbreaking 2:1 defeat.

Already on the brink of elimination, Honduras concluded group play on 25 June against Switzerland at Manaus’s Arena da Amazônia. Playing in the stifling Amazonian heat before a crowd of 40,322, the Catrachos could not stop Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who netted a spectacular hat-trick (6’, 31’, 71’) to seal a 3:0 win for Switzerland, sending a winless Catrachos home at the bottom of the group.

Group A: Mexico Defies the Odds before Round of 16 Heartbreak

Mexican native Miguel "El Piojo" Herrera injected fiery passion into El Tri, stepping in to lead the squad into its 15th World Cup appearance after a tumultuous qualification campaign. Mexico faced a daunting task in Group A, grouped alongside Cameroon, Croatia, and the formidable tournament hosts, Brazil.

Mexico kicked off their campaign on 13 June at Natal’s Estádio das Dunas. Braving torrential rain, El Tri dominated Cameroon, with Oribe Peralta striking in the 61st minute to secure a vital 1:0 victory in front of 39,216 cheering fans. 

Four days later on 17 June, Mexico traveled to Fortaleza’s Estádio Castelão to face Brazil. In front of an electric, hostile crowd of 60,342, Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa produced one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in World Cup history, making a string of miraculous saves to deny Neymar and company, holding the hosts to a historic 0:0 draw.

Mexico wrapped up group play on 23 June against Croatia at Recife’s Arena Pernambuco, needing only a draw to advance. Instead, El Tri unleashed a late second-half blitz before 41,212 spectators, scoring three goals in ten minutes via Rafael Márquez (72'), Andrés Guardado (75'), and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández (82') to cruise to a 3:1 victory and storm into the knockout stage.

For the sixth consecutive World Cup, Mexico's journey collided with the ‘Round of 16’ barrier, this time facing the Netherlands on 29 June at the Estádio Castelão. In front of a crowd of 58,817, Giovani dos Santos sent Mexico into ecstasy with a stunning long-range strike in the 48th minute. Mexico held the lead until the 88th minute when Wesley Sneijder thrashed home an equalizer. Then, deep into stoppage time, Arjen Robben went down in the penalty box under a challenge from Márquez. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar coolly converted the 94th-minute penalty, shattering Mexican hearts with a cruel 2:1 defeat and sealing another elusive search for the quinto partido (fifth game).

Group G: Resilience Carries the USA Through the Group of Death

Making their tenth World Cup appearance, the USA was led by legendary former German striker now coach Jürgen Klinsmann. The Stars & Stripes were drawn into the tournament's consensus "Group of Death" alongside Ghana, Euro giants Portugal, and eventual world champions Germany.

The USA kicked off their campaign on 16 June at the Estádio das Dunas with a highly anticipated grudge match against Ghana—the team that had eliminated them from the previous two World Cups. Clint Dempsey set the tone just 29 seconds in, scoring the fifth-fastest goal in World Cup history. Ghana equalized late in the 82nd minute, but substitute John Brooks became an instant American hero four minutes later, heading home a dramatic 86th-minute corner to capture a thrilling 2:1 victory before 39,760 in attendance.

On 22 June, the USA showcased their trademark resilience against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at Manaus’s Arena da Amazônia. Trailing early, the Stars & Stripes mounted a furious second-half comeback before 40,123 spectators, with Jermaine Jones firing a rocket equalizer (64') and Dempsey bundling home the lead in the 81st minute. However, with virtually the final kick of the match during five minutes of stoppage time, Silvestre Varela headed home a dramatic equalizer for Portugal to end it in a 2:2 draw. 

Despite a narrow 1:0 loss to Germany (Thomas Müller’s 55th minute game-winner) in the final group game before a crowd of 41,876 in Recife’s Itaipava Arena Pernambuco on 26 June, the Stars & Stripes advanced to the knockout rounds by edging out Portugal on goal difference.

The USA's magical run came to a heartbreaking end on 1 July at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova. Facing a golden generation of Belgium, a crowd of 51,227 witnessed American goalkeeper Tim Howard deliver an astonishing, record-breaking performance, making 15 saves—the most in a single match, at that time, in World Cup history. Howard's heroics dragged the match into extra time scoreless. However, Belgium's extra-time firepower proved too much, as Kevin De Bruyne (93') and Romelu Lukaku (105') struck. Julian Green sparked life back into the USA with a brilliant volley in the 107th minute, but the furious late Stars & Stripes comeback fell just short in a 2:1 defeat.

Group D: Costa Rica Stuns the Giants to Secure Historic Quarterfinal Berth

Under the tactical mastery of Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica entered their fourth World Cup as complete afterthoughts. They were placed into Group D, a brutal block universally labeled the "Group of Champions," alongside three former World Cup winners: Uruguay, Italy, and England.

Costa Rica began their historic giant-killing run on 14 June at Fortaleza's Estádio Castelão against Uruguay. Trailing 1:0 at halftime, the Ticos stunned the 58,679 spectators with a roaring second-half display, as Joel Campbell (54'), Oscar Duarte (57'), and Marco Ureña (84') struck to dismantle the South American champions 3:1. 

Six days later on 20 June, Costa Rica proved it was no fluke at Itaipava Arena Pernambuco against Italy. Captain Bryan Ruiz headed home a magnificent cross just before halftime, and a flawless defensive display marshaled by goalkeeper Keylor Navas held strong to secure a monumental 1:0 victory before a crowd of 40,285, miraculously qualifying Costa Rica for the knockout phase after just two games.

Costa Rica wrapped up group play on 24 June against England at Belo Horizonte’s Estádio Mineirão. Playing before 57,823 spectators, the Ticos secured a calculated scoreless draw, shockingly topping the "Group of Death" undefeated while European heavyweights Italy and England were sent packing.

In the ‘Round of 16’ on 29 June, Costa Rica faced Greece at the Arena Pernambuco. Ruiz put the Ticos ahead in the 52nd minute, but a red card given to Óscar Duarte (66’) down to 10 men saw Greece equalize in the 91st minute to send the match to extra time and eventually penalties before 41,242 in attendance. Navas made a spectacular save on Theofanis Gekas's penalty, allowing Michael Umaña to smash home the winning spot-kick, sending Costa Rica to the quarterfinals for the very first time in their history.

Costa Rica’s legendary, unbeaten Cinderella run finally concluded on 5 July at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova against the Netherlands. Playing before 51,179 spectators, the Ticos fought valiantly through 120 minutes of grueling, tactical football, holding the lethal Dutch attack to a 0:0 draw. In a dramatic twist, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal substituted goalkeeper Tim Krul specifically for the penalty shootout. Krul saved two Costa Rican spot-kicks, ending the Ticos' dream tournament 4:3 on penalties. Despite the shootout exit, Costa Rica left Brazil undefeated in open play, capturing the hearts of football fans worldwide.

The Final at Maracanã

The historic 2014 World Cup culminated on 13 July at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Estádio do Maracanã, where Mario Götze scored a dramatic 113th-minute extra-time winner to lift Germany to a 1:0 victory over Argentina, closing the book on an unforgettable tournament in Brazil.

2014 World Cup

Costa Rica Roster

GK: Daniel Cambronero (CS Herediano), Keylor Navas (Levante UD/ESP), Patrick Pemberton (LD Alajuelense);

DF: Johnny Acosta (LD Alajuelense), Junior Enrique Díaz (FSV Mainz 05/GER), Óscar Duarte (Club Brugge KV/BEL), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew/USA), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg BK/NOR), Giancarlo Pipo González (Columbus Crew/USA), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls/USA), David Myrie (CS Herediano), Michael Umaña (Deportivo Saprissa);

MD: Michael Barrantes (Aalesunds FK/NOR), Christian Bolaños (FC Copenhagen/DEN), Celso Borges (AIK Solna/SWE), Diego Calvo (Valerenga IF/NOR), José Miguel Cubero (CS Herediano), Óscar Esteban Granados (CS Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Yeltsin Tejeda (Deportivo Saprissa);

AT: Randall Chiqui Brenes (CS Cartaginés), Joel Campbell (Olympiascos FC/GRE), Marco Ureña (FC Kuban Krasnodar/RUS).

TD: Jorge Luis Pinto (COL)

Honduras Roster

GK: Donis Escober (CD Olimpia), Luis López (Real CD España), Noel Valladares (CD Olimpia);

DF: Brayan Beckeles (CD Olimpia), Víctor Bernárdez (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Osman Chávez (Qingdao Hainiu FC/CHN), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City AFC/ENG), Juan Carlos García (Wigan Athletic FC/ENG), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic FC/SCO), Juan Pablo Montes (Club Motagua);

MD: Marvin Chávez (CD Chivas USA), Jorge Claros (Club Motagua), Edder Delgado (Real CD España), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic FC/ENG), Boniek García (Houston Dynamo/USA), Luis Garrido (CD Olimpia), Mario Martínez (Real CD España), Andy Najar (RSC Anderlecht/BEL), Wilson Palacios (Stoke Ciy FC/ENG);

AT: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution/USA), Carlos Costly (Real España), Rony Martínez (CD Real Sociedad), Jerry Palacios (LD Alajuelense/CRC).

TD: Luis Fernando Súarez (COL)

Mexico Roster

GK: Jesús Corona (CD SC Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (AC Ajaccio/FRA), Alfredo Talavera (CD Toluca);

DF: Paul Aguilar (Club América), Miguel Layún (Club América), Rafael Márquez (Club León), Héctor Moreno (RCD Espanyol/ESP), Miguel Ángel Ponce (CD Toluca), Diego Reyes (FC Porto/POR), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (Club América), Carlos Salcido (Tigres UANL);

MD: Javier Aquino (Villarreal CF/ESP), Andrés Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Isaác Brizuela (CD Toluca), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal CF/ESP), Marco Fabián (CD SC Cruz Azul), Héctor Herrera (FC Porto/POR), Carlos Peña (Club León), José Juan Vázquez (Club León);

AT: Raúl Jiménez (Club América), Javier Hernández (Manchester United FC/ENG), Oribe Peralta (Club Santos Laguna), Alan Pulido (Tigres UANL).

TD: Miguel Herrera (MEX)

USA Roster

GK: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa FC/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton FC/ENG), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake);

DF: DaMarcus Beasley (Club Puebla/MEX), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha BSC/GER), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City FC/ENG), Timothy Chandler (1. FC Nurnberg/GER), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim/GER), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC);

MD: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (FC Nantes/FRA), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg BK/NOR), Julian Green (FC Bayern Munich/GER), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas JK/TUR), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City);

AT: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland AFC/ENG), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Jóhannsson (AZ Alkmaar/NED), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).

TD: Jürgen Klinsmann (GER)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico); ANCCIF Members– Rodrigo Calvo (Costa Rica) & Nelson Manzanares (Honduras)  for their assistance on this article