Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis' 2014 FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end against the Netherlands on Saturday, as Costa Rica fell to the Dutch in a penalty shootout while bidding for a spot in the final four of the tournament.
Gonzalez once again started and played the duration of the match for the Ticos, including taking a penalty in the decisive shootout. Slotted as the third shooter for the Ticos, exactly as he was against Greece in the Round of 16, the Crew defender converted his penalty. The Netherlands prevailed in the shootout overall, 4-3, however.
Gonzalez, nicknamed "Pipo," ends his World Cup as one of the best central defenders of the tournament. He helped keep the Netherlands scoreless through 120 minutes in Saturday's Quarterfinal match.
The Dutch are now slated to face Argentina in one semifinal, while Germany is set to face Brazil in the other.
