Argentina to meet Germany in World Cup final
Argentina's Sergio Romero saved two penalties in a 4-2 shootout win over the Netherlands to seal their first World Cup final place in 24 years after the first ever goalless semifinal at the end of extra time on Wednesday.
Romero plunged low to his left to save the first penalty kick from defender Ron Vlaar and then made a superb stop from Wesley Sneijder as Argentina's jubilant fans went wild at the Corinthians arena.
The pressure of scoring the winning penalty kick fell to Argentina substitute Maxi Rodriguez who slotted high past Jasper Cillessen, with the Dutch keeper failing to emulate the heroics of backup Tim Krul in their quarterfinal win over Costa Rica.
Twice champions Argentina now travel to Rio de Janeiro for Sunday's final against old rivals Germany, who thrashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the other semifinal in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.
It will be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals and the first time the same two teams will have faced each other three times in the title decider.
"...I'm really happy with everything," goalkeeping hero Romero said in a televised interview. (Penalties) are a question of luck, that's the reality... I had confidence in myself and, fortunately, everything turned out well."
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella added: "I'm very happy because we reached the final and now we will see what we can do. We will give everything as usual, with humility, work and 100 per cent effort."
Disappointed Netherlands winger Arjen Robben told Dutch TV: "It hurts but we gave it our all this evening and it's grim going out in this way... I have to be proud of these guys..."
With Brazil's harrowing defeat still fresh in the mind, caution was the watchword of a tactical first half as both sides felt each other out and battled for possession across the pitch in a defence-dominated encounter short on entertainment.
Romero plunged low to his left to save the first penalty kick from defender Ron Vlaar and then made a superb stop from Wesley Sneijder as Argentina's jubilant fans went wild at the Corinthians arena.
The pressure of scoring the winning penalty kick fell to Argentina substitute Maxi Rodriguez who slotted high past Jasper Cillessen, with the Dutch keeper failing to emulate the heroics of backup Tim Krul in their quarterfinal win over Costa Rica.
Twice champions Argentina now travel to Rio de Janeiro for Sunday's final against old rivals Germany, who thrashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the other semifinal in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.
It will be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals and the first time the same two teams will have faced each other three times in the title decider.
"...I'm really happy with everything," goalkeeping hero Romero said in a televised interview. (Penalties) are a question of luck, that's the reality... I had confidence in myself and, fortunately, everything turned out well."
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella added: "I'm very happy because we reached the final and now we will see what we can do. We will give everything as usual, with humility, work and 100 per cent effort."
Disappointed Netherlands winger Arjen Robben told Dutch TV: "It hurts but we gave it our all this evening and it's grim going out in this way... I have to be proud of these guys..."
With Brazil's harrowing defeat still fresh in the mind, caution was the watchword of a tactical first half as both sides felt each other out and battled for possession across the pitch in a defence-dominated encounter short on entertainment.
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