Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo to book their place in the final of the FIFA World Cup.
The game headed to penalties after a goalless 120 minutes and Argentina won by scoring their four spot-kicks while Sergio Romero saved two of the Dutch’s efforts.
The first real chance of the game came through Lionel Messi, who fired his free-kick straight at Jasper Cillessen.
Ezequiel Garay had another chance to put the Argentines in the lead when his header from six-yards out went over the bar.
The Oranje began to show much more grit in their play midway through the first half and Wesley Sneijder’s inviting cross was arduously punched away by Romero.
Early in the second half, the Netherlands could have made it 1-0 but Sneijder blazed his free-kick over the bar.
The Argentines had a great chance to put themselves ahead when Ezequiel Lavezzi broke away down the wing but Daryl Janmaat intercepted the ball before Gonzalo Higuian could get his head onto it.
La Albiceleste thought they had scored when Higuain latched onto a cross from the right but his first-time finish hit the side netting.
With seven minutes remaining, Marcos Rojo unleashed a shot from distance which was easily handled by Cillessen.
Robben had the chance to win the game for the Oranje at the death after a well worked team move, but Javier Mascherano intercepted the ball in the nick of time to put it out for a corner.
With full time ending goalless, the semi-final headed into extra-time.
Eight minutes into the first half of extra-time Arjen Robben found some space and unleashed a stinging strike which was handled safely by Romero.
Five minutes from time and La Albiceleste had a glorious chance to win the game when Rodrigo Palacio went through on goal but the Inter man’s finish was saved by Cillessen.
Argentina continued their attacking onslaught when Messi dribbled past Ron Vlaar before crossing the ball into the box however Maxi Rodriguez failed to wrap his foot around it on the volley and it ended up with Cillessen saving with ease.
The game soon headed into penalties and it was Argentina who came out victorious after Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder had their penalties saved, whereas the Argentine takers Messi, Sergio Aguero, Garay and Maxi Rodriguez all scored.
