Argentina book passage to World Cup final

Argentina have advanced to the 2014 World Cup final after they defeated Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes of football. The South Americans will now face Germany in the final at the Maracana stadium on Sunday for the third time in the competition’s history.

Robin van Persie overcame a stomach injury to start for the Dutch while Nigel de Jong came in for Memphis Depay in the only switch from the side that faced Costa Rica in the quarter-final. Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella made two changes from the victory over Belgium as Marcos Rojo returned from suspension while Enzo Perez was chosen as the replacement for the injured Angel Di Maria.

In a complete contrast to yesterday’s goal ridden semi-final in which Germany put five Brazil within the opening half hour, Netherlands and Argentina played out a typically tense and tight affair for this stage of the competition.

The first opportunity of note came the way of Argentina on 15 minutes as Perez was taken down by Ron Vlaar 20 yards from goal. Messi took the resulting free-kick but his fiercely hit effort was well held by Jasper Cillessen.

A whipped near post delivery from Ezequiel Lavezzi was met by the head of Ezequiel Garay but the defender headed over while under intense pressure from the excellent Vlaar.

The Dutch appeared content to allow Argentina to have possession of the ball with the aim of capitalising on the counter-attack through the pace of Arjen Robben though the Dutchman was anonymous having only completed one successful pass in the opening 45 minutes.

Both sides grew frustrated as the game progressed with clear-cut chances few and far between as both defenses outshone their attacking counterparts.

Gonzalo Higuain missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock in the 75^th minute as his outstretched foot sent the ball high into the side netting; however, the offside flag was raised regardless. 

With three minutes of additional time announced, Robben dribbled through the Argentinian rearguard only for his goal bound effort to be brilliantly blocked by Javier Mascherano to bring the game to extra time.

The extra time period was reminiscent of the 90 that preceded it with the only significant opportunity falling the way of substitute Rodrigo Polacio, who was sent clean through on goal by Maxi Rodriguez’s chipped pass but with Cillessen advancing, the Inter Milan striker’s headed effort was too weak to beat the Ajax stopper.

Sergio Romero was to emerge the hero from the shootout as he saved from both Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to give Argentina a 3-2 advantage having taken a penalty less. This gave former Liverpool player Maxi the chance to win the game and despite Cillessen getting a hand to his penalty, the ball deflected in off the bar to put Argentina through to their fourth World Cup final.

Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen; Dirk Kuyt, Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar, Bruno Martins Indi (Daryl Janmaat 46), Daley Blind; Georginio Wijnaldum, Nigel de Jong (Jordy Clasie 62), Wesley Sneijder; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie (Klaas Jan Huntelaar 96).

Booked: Martins Indi (45), Huntelaar (105)

Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo; Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez (Rodrigo Polacio 81), Lucas Biglia; Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi (Maxi Rodriguez 100), Gonzalo Higuain (Sergio Aguero 82).

Booked: Martin Demichelis (49)

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Attendance: 63,267

Extratime Man of the Match: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)