Sokratis Papastathopoulos's injury-time equaliser for Greece had cancelled out Bryan Ruiz's side-footed opener and sent the game in to additional time.
Costa Rica are in to the quarter-finals of the world Cup for the first time in their history after beating Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Recife.
Theofanis Gekas missed for Greece, and Michael Umana settled the tie.
Costa Rica, down to ten men for an hour after Oscar Duarte's dismissal, scored their first spot-kicks.
It means the Central American side - surprise qualifiers from a group containing England, Germany and Uruguay - go through to face the Netherlands on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals as their unlikely run at the World Cup continues.
The last-ditch equaliser and the penalty shootout added belated drama to what had been a less than enthralling encounter sometimes.
Dimitris Salpingidis had the best chance of a turgid first half but his close-range volley from a fine Jose Holebas cross was saved by the legs of Costa Rica's Keylor Navas - the first of several crucial interventions by the Levante keeper.
Christian Bolanos had already sent a half-chance over the bar for Costa Rica while Greece's Giorgos Karagounis saw a long-range hard work comfortably saved as erratic passing meant chances were a rarity.
Greece started the second half well with Giorgos Samaras heading a Holebas cross straight at Navas from six yards.
Fulham forward Ruiz, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, converted from the fringe of the area, placing a exact side-foot shot in to the corner of the objective after a Bolanos pass from the left found him in space.
But it was Costa Rica who broke the deadlock with their first shot on target.
The Central Americans were incensed not to be given the chance to double their lead after Greek defender Vasilis Torosidis appeared to handle in the box and then lost Duarte when he brought down Holebas to pick up a second yellow card.
Costa Rica are in to the quarter-finals of the world Cup for the first time in their history after beating Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Recife.
Theofanis Gekas missed for Greece, and Michael Umana settled the tie.
Costa Rica, down to ten men for an hour after Oscar Duarte's dismissal, scored their first spot-kicks.
It means the Central American side - surprise qualifiers from a group containing England, Germany and Uruguay - go through to face the Netherlands on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals as their unlikely run at the World Cup continues.
The last-ditch equaliser and the penalty shootout added belated drama to what had been a less than enthralling encounter sometimes.
Dimitris Salpingidis had the best chance of a turgid first half but his close-range volley from a fine Jose Holebas cross was saved by the legs of Costa Rica's Keylor Navas - the first of several crucial interventions by the Levante keeper.
Christian Bolanos had already sent a half-chance over the bar for Costa Rica while Greece's Giorgos Karagounis saw a long-range hard work comfortably saved as erratic passing meant chances were a rarity.
Greece started the second half well with Giorgos Samaras heading a Holebas cross straight at Navas from six yards.
Fulham forward Ruiz, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, converted from the fringe of the area, placing a exact side-foot shot in to the corner of the objective after a Bolanos pass from the left found him in space.
But it was Costa Rica who broke the deadlock with their first shot on target.
The Central Americans were incensed not to be given the chance to double their lead after Greek defender Vasilis Torosidis appeared to handle in the box and then lost Duarte when he brought down Holebas to pick up a second yellow card.
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