The U-17 National Football Team of Costa Rica, affectionately known as “La Rojita” (The Little Red One), has made history by advancing to the quarter final stage of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is currently unfolding in Chile. Costa Rica defeated all odds as it faced the French National Team, a formidable squad that was a favorite of numerous football analysts.

The exciting match took place at the Puerto Montt Chinquihue Stadium in the bucolic southern region of Chile. The French team seems to have underestimated the underdog Costa Rica well beyond the first half as the Tico players appeared to be nervous. La Rojita parked the bus deep and defended against repeated incursions by the talented French strikers.

The high caliber of the team from France was checked by Costa Rica in the second half. Managing coach Marcelo “Popeye” Herrera changed the strategy of the match to a more aggressive style of play, which forced the French back line to seek support from their midfielders. France could not score, and Costa Rica tested their goalkeeper a couple of times, including a rocket shot from team captain Luis Hernandez, which rocked the goalpost as a warning of what was coming after the 90 minutes finished scoreless.

At the penalty shootout, the young players from Costa Rica were very confident. Roberto Córdoba started with a goal and the four following penalty kicks were also converted into goals. Such was not the case for France, favorites to win this World Cup and a team that is being hailed as one of the most promising football generations of Europe. Perhaps still in shock at not being able to dispatch Costa Rica in 90 minutes, two French players missed their penalty kick conversions.

Final score: Costa Rica 0 (5) – France 0 (3). La Rojita will face the U-17 National Team of Belgium for a chance to advance to the semifinal round of the World Cup.