Costa Rica employed a compact 5-4-1 formation to absorb pressure from Greece, maximizing counter-attacking opportunities. The defensive line was anchored by Gonzalez and Duarte, which allowed Navas to focus on shot-stopping while controlling the area. Conversely, Greece's 4-3-3 sought to dominate midfield through Katsouranis and Maniatis, looking to create overloads on the wings using Holebas and Torosidis. The introduction of Papastathopoulos proved crucial for the late equalizer with a header from a set piece, changing the game's dynamic. In extra time, both teams appeared fatigued, with Costa Rica showcasing resilience, ultimately succeeding in the penalty shootout thanks to Navas’ heroics.