Argentina defeat the Netherlands to reach World Cup final

John Bagratuni​, dpa

Sergio Romero saved twice as Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties on Wednesday to set up a third World Cup final against Germany on Sunday.

The Monaco goalkeeper parried spot kicks from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to see the Albiceleste through after 120 minutes of negative semi-final football from both sides had ended 0-0.

Lionel Messi, Ezquiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez converted Argentina's spot kicks while Arjen Robben and Wesley Snijder were on target for the Dutch.

It was the first World Cup semi-final ever to end 0-0 after 120 minutes, and the Dutch failed to score in 240 minutes overall as they had required penalties to beat Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

The scrappy match without a single serious scoring chance was far from worthy of a World Cup semi, and Argentina will need a massive effort if they want to lift the trophy a third time after 1978 and 1986.

Germany hammered hosts Brazil 7-1 in the first semi-final on Tuesday and must be rated big favourites for Sunday.

It will be a record third World Cup final between the two, with Argentina winning the title 3-2 in 1986 and the Germans 1-0 four years later. Germany also eliminated Argentina in the quarter-finals of the last two World Cups. Argentina are in the final a fifth time overall.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal opted for caution again with a 5-3-2 formation, with Nigel de Jong back from a groin injury to shadow Messi. Robin van Persie was fit to play from a stomach bug.

Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella fielded Enzo Perez as expected for the injured Angel di Maria and welcomed back defender Marcos Rojo back from suspension.

The game started far from the pace and flair as the first semi-final, with the Dutch enjoying large spells of possession while Argentina captain Javier Mascherano was visibly dissatisfied with his team-mates.

The Dutch got a first small chance in the 13th when Wesley Snijder shot wide left, and a minute later Messi aimed a free-kick from a central position right into the arms of Jasper Cillessen after Ron Vlaar had brought down Perez.

Ezequiel Garay headed high off a corner kick before Argentina had a massive scare when Mascherano hurt his head in an aerial duel with Georginio Wijnaldum. The Barcelona player sunk onto the ground visibly dizzy but could eventually play on.

With Messi contained by De Jong and Vlaar, and Van Persie and Robben also hardly getting the ball, the tactical midfield battle trickled on until half-time with Argentina looking a little more determined.

Janmaat came on for injured Bruno Martins Indi after the break, and went to the right with striker-turned-full-back Dirk Kuyt moving to the left.

That changed nothing as Argentina let the Dutch do the work without giving them the slightest opening for their fast forwards, while Sneijder sent a free-kick hight and wide.

De Jong's term ended in the 62nd minute when he went off for Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie, the only outfield player Van Gaal had not used from his squad until then.

But no side seemed willing to take any risks, and when another free-kick from Sneijder went miles wide the jeers of the 63,267 grew louder.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero returned from injury in the 82nd for Higuain, and Sabella also replaced Perez with Rodrigo Palacio.

Rojo tried his luck from long range in what was only the second shot on target of the entire night.

Robben almost stole a last-gasp winner after a through ball, but Mascherano managed to block the shot with a full-stretch lunge as the game went into extra time.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who grabbed the injury-time 2-1 winner against Mexico in the last 16, came on in the 96th for Van Persie, meaning that Van Gaal could not bring in reserve keeper Tim Krul for possible shoot-out as he had done in the quarter-final with Costa Rica.

Palacio had two late chances before the dull game was decided by penalties.