Members of Costa Rica (pictured) celebrate after they prevailed over France on penalty kicks in Round of 16 match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup on October 29, 2015, in Puerto Montt, Chile. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
PUERTO MONTT, Chile -- Costa Rica outlasted European champion France 5-3 on penalty kicks to earn a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2007, following a 0-0 draw on Thursday.
In a Round of 16 encounter at the Estadio Chinquihue, the French were shutout for the first time in the competition after scoring 14 goals in their three group games. Conversely, Costa Rica posted its first clean sheet after conceding one goal or more in each of its initial three outings.
Andy Reyes, who hit the crossbar with a second-half effort, completed a string five straight successful penalty kicks to clinch a historic result. Roberto Cordoba, Eduardo Juarez, Pablo Arboine and Daniel Villegas also found the back of the net for the Central Americans.
Odsonne Edouard, Reine Adelaide, Bilal Boutobba converted for France, while Timothe Cognat was the only one to miss.
The French had more opportunities to secure an outright victory, especially in a first half that saw Adelaide and Edouard blaze high, while Jean Ruiz’s attempt from 29 yards was saved well by goalkeeper Alejandro Barrientos.
Costa Rica will next face Belgium on November 2 in Concepcion with a place in the final four at stake.
