Tim Krul Saves Netherlands

It seemed like most of this World Cup run would feature no Tim Krul. Newcastle's keeper hasn't seen any action this tournament. That is, until the 199th minute, when Krul was subbed on for penalty kicks. After Costa Rica and the Netherlands played a scoreless affair for 120 minutes.

Given that Krul is 2/20 in penalties for Newcastle, the move was widely criticized. But, the Newcastle man came up big with two massive saves. Krul saved Bryan Ruiz's attempt to give the Dutch a lead. From then, the Dutch and Costa Rica traded goals. Until Michael Umana came up for Costa Rica in a must-score situation.....

@AlanHoffmann @ComingHomeNUFC Here you go http://t.co/dmm6Ta2y3N

— /r/Alfie (@AlfieBCC) July 5, 2014

Krul came up big again to send the Netherlands to the semifinals.

Louis van Gaal's gamble paid off, and Krul's first bit of World Cup action will put him down in Dutch lore.

And it made Newcastle Twitter pretty happy.

TIM KRUL PK TRASH TALK DOT GIF

— /r/Alfie (@AlfieBCC) July 5, 2014

Tim Krul is my favourite Geordie.

— rach (@adultcereal) July 5, 2014

Timmy timmy kruuuuulllll!!!

— Robert Elliot (@the_dilsh) July 5, 2014

NAILED IT pic.twitter.com/Ivr9trvxda

— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 5, 2014

Kid with a Geordie accent in the semi final of the World Cup.................... Tim fucking Krul

— Nufc away days (@NufcAwayDays) July 5, 2014

Newcastle united live on in the World Cup. Mad moment to see @TimKrul come on and win it for holland.

— The Mag (@NUFCTheMag) July 5, 2014

Though, Sunderland was their usual selves...

So mad RT @RokerReport: Reckon it was the four penalty takers who won it for Holland, like, but whatevs.

— ComingHomeNewcastle (@ComingHomeNUFC) July 5, 2014

Oh well. Our keeper is off to the semifinals.