Recife

Greece's World Cup squad received a heroes' welcome home on their return to Athens on Tuesday after reaching the World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history.

Over 200 supporters greeted the players at Eleftherios Venizelos airport in an impromptu gathering, chanting loudly and embracing them as they made their way through the arrivals hall.

By George Georgakopoulos

Greece succumbed in a penalty shootout to 10-man Costa Rica, whose keeper Keylor Navas kept the score at 1-1 throughout extra time and then saved Fanis Gekas’s spot kick to send the Central Americans to the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Sunday night.

By Toby Davis

RECIFE, Brazil - Greece coach Fernando Santos has challenged his team to "rewrite history" when they face Costa Rica in the World Cup's round of 16 on Sunday, but it is a lesson from his side's own past that is making him extra wary.

By George Georgakopoulos

Eleven-year-old Jay Beatty as well as tens of thousands of Greece fans have had their demand answered by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), which has invited the Celtic and avid Giorgos Samaras fan to travel to Brazil and attend Greece’s game with Costa Rica on Sunday.

Greece will not take the challenge of Costa Rica lightly when they meet in the second round of the World Cup finals in Recife on Sunday, said coach Fernando Santos after he guided the Greeks to their first ever appearance in the knockout stages.

Neymar scored twice as Brazil thrashed Cameroon 4-1 to reach the World Cup knockout rounds just ahead of group rivals Mexico on June 23.

A thrilling finale to Group A saw the hosts surge past Cameroon in Brasilia while Mexico downed Croatia 3-1 in Recife. The Netherlands beat Chile 2-0 to take top spot in Group B.

Japan and Greece face a high-stakes World Cup shoot-out here on Thursday after opening match defeats which have left their participation in the tournament hanging by a thread.

With Japan outmuscled by Ivory Coast 2-1 and Greece thumped 3-0 by Colombia on Saturday, defeat for either side in their Group C collision in Natal could well be terminal.

World Cup favourites Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico on June 18 as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa produced an inspired performance to deny the Brazilians their 11th victory in a row.

In an absorbing Group A match in the deafening cauldron of Fortaleza's Castelao arena, Brazil failed time and again to break down a stubborn Mexican defence.

Italian experience overcame England's youthful exuberance in an intriguing clash of styles at the World Cup on June 14 and in Group D's other game unfancied Costa Rica beat twice champions Uruguay in the tournament's biggest upset so far.