Argentina will play Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup after beating Holland 4-2 on post match penalties.
Argentina’s Sergio Romero saved two penalties 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.
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.
Four-time World Player of the Year Messi, who was kept quiet by his standards, did test Cillessen with a free kick early on while Ezequiel Garay stooped to head a corner over the bar under pressure from Vlaar but chances were few in a dire first half.
The second period was equally cautious as the Dutch failed to record a shot on target for the entire 90 minutes before Arjen Robben burst into the box in the dying moments, only to be denied by Javier Mascherano’s well-timed block.
Romero saved 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.