Holland pay the penalty as Argentina set up World Cup final with Germany

Martyn Thomas 02:59 10/07/2014
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  • Elation: Argentina react to winning the shootout and reaching the World Cup final.

    Argentina booked their place in the World Cup final with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, following an attritional 120 minutes of football in Sao Paulo.

    In a game low on action and invention, but high in tension, Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero emerged as the hero as he saved spot kicks from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder.

    Quarter-final hero Tim Krul was only able to watch on, with Jasper Cillessen impotent against the four kicks he faced as Maxi Rodriguez confirmined his side’s passage to Sunday’s final against Germany.

    With the Netherlands not firing their first shot on target until nine minutes into extra-time, Argentina may well ask themselves how it went this far. But the Albiceleste did not do enough to force the issue in a turgid encounter.

    They must now regroup and ensure they are more clinical against a well-rested Germany in Rio de Janeiro in three days’ time. Argentina – wearing black armbands in honour of the late Alfredo Di Stefano – featured two changes from the side that beat Belgium in the last eight, with Marcos Rojo returning from suspension and Enzo Perez starting.

    Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, received a boost with Nigel de Jong fit to start, and his presence in midfield enabled the Netherlands to stifle their opponents.

    Lionel Messi did sting the palms of Cillessen with a ferocious 15th-minute free kick, but it was a rare piece of goalmouth action.

    Alejandro Sabella’s side were struggling to break down a resolute Dutch team, with the men in orange content to contain the South Americans rather than risk exposure by throwing too many players forward.

    Indeed the biggest scare for Argentina in the first period came not through a Dutch shot on goal, but when Javier Mascherano fell groggily to the pitch in the 26th minute following a clash of heads with Georgino Wijnaldum.

    The Barcelona midfielder rem-ained on the turf for nearly 90 seconds, but was deemed fit to carry on by his country’s medical staff. And, he showed no ill effects 10 minutes later as he picked out Ezequiel Lavezzi with a raking long ball.

    The Paris Saint-Germain forward cut the ball back from the right byline, but his cross was cleared just in front of the waiting Gonazalo Higuain.

    Having picked up a booking, Bruno Martins Indi was replaced with Daryl Janmaat at the break, but there was no change in the pattern of play as the second half proved as cagey as the first.

    Messi threatened to come to life, but Ron Vlaar produced an excellently timed tackle to stop him before Lavezzi almost picked out Higauin.

    Shortly afterwards, van Gaal was forced into another substitution as de Jong’s lack of fitness told. That brought on Jordy Clasie and for a spell the Netherlands found some rhythm but they were unable to carve an opening.

    With just under 10 minutes to go Sabella finally called for the Cavalry, as Rodrigo Palacio and Serigo Aguero entered the fray.

    Remarkably though, it was Arjen Robben who almost stole, only to be denied by the outstretched boot of Mascherano. It was an outstanding, game-saving tackle and ultimately kept his side in the tournament.

    Argentina would not have needed a shootout though, had Palacio or Maxi Rodriguez done better with gilt-edged chances.

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