Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup final after a dire two hours of defense-dominated football failed to provide a semi-final goal for the first time in the tournament's history on Wednesday.
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved Ron Vlaar's first penalty then made a superb diving save to deny Wesley Sneijder, allowing Maxi Rodriguez to crash home the decisive kick as his side converted all four of their penalties.
The game was a forgettable one as the Dutch struggled to build any meaningful attacks and completed 90 minutes without a shot on target as Arjen Robben's last-minute effort was brilliantly blocked by Javier Mascherano.
Argentina was not much more adventurous and had only a handful of half-chances to their name as, in total contrast to Tuesday's match when Germany waltzed through a wide open Brazil to win 7-1, both defenses were absolutely on top.
In Sunday's final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro Argentina will play Germany in a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals - the first time the same two teams will have faced each other three times in the decider.
The Netherlands will play Brazil in the third-place playoff in Brasilia on Saturday.
Argentina stormed into the final after beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after extra time too failed to break the deadlock in the second semi-final of the 2014 World Cup at the Arena de Sao Paulo stadium in Sao Paulo on Wednesday night.
It was a perfect gift for the Albiceleste who were celebrating their Independece Day. They will now take on Germany in the final on Saturday.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Netherlands 2 Argentina 4 (on penalties)
Maxi Rodriguez scores and Argentina are in the final
Netherlands 2 Argentina 3
Kuyt scores
Netherlands 1 Argentina 3
Robben scores
Netherlands 0 Argentina 1
Messi sends Cillessen the wrong way
Netherlands 0 Argentina 0
Vlaar's shot is saved by Romero
Time for penalties
FULL-TIME (ET)
Argentina 0 Netherlands 0
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved Ron Vlaar's first penalty then made a superb diving save to deny Wesley Sneijder, allowing Maxi Rodriguez to crash home the decisive kick as his side converted all four of their penalties.
The game was a forgettable one as the Dutch struggled to build any meaningful attacks and completed 90 minutes without a shot on target as Arjen Robben's last-minute effort was brilliantly blocked by Javier Mascherano.
Argentina was not much more adventurous and had only a handful of half-chances to their name as, in total contrast to Tuesday's match when Germany waltzed through a wide open Brazil to win 7-1, both defenses were absolutely on top.
In Sunday's final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro Argentina will play Germany in a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals - the first time the same two teams will have faced each other three times in the decider.
The Netherlands will play Brazil in the third-place playoff in Brasilia on Saturday.
Argentina stormed into the final after beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after extra time too failed to break the deadlock in the second semi-final of the 2014 World Cup at the Arena de Sao Paulo stadium in Sao Paulo on Wednesday night.
It was a perfect gift for the Albiceleste who were celebrating their Independece Day. They will now take on Germany in the final on Saturday.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Netherlands 2 Argentina 4 (on penalties)
Maxi Rodriguez scores and Argentina are in the final
Netherlands 2 Argentina 3
Kuyt scores
Netherlands 1 Argentina 3
Aguero scores
Netherlands 1 Argentina 2
Sneijder's shot is saved
Netherlands 1 Argentina 2
Ezequiel Garay b \lasts it in
Netherlands 1 Argentina 1Robben scores
Netherlands 0 Argentina 1
Messi sends Cillessen the wrong way
Netherlands 0 Argentina 0
Vlaar's shot is saved by Romero
Time for penalties
FULL-TIME (ET)
Argentina 0 Netherlands 0
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