Romero the shoot-out hero as Argentina reach Final
Sergio Romero inspired Argentina to a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands on penalties and FIFA World Cup Final place for the first time in 24 years.
After 120 goalless minutes in Sao Paulo, the 27-year-old repelled Ron Vlaar’s spot-kick before making a stunning save from Wesley Sneijder to send La Albiceleste into a showdown with Germany at the Maracana.
The first half was a tense, chance-shy affair. Lionel Messi had Argentina’s best opportunity, with a centrally-positioned free-kick from the edge of the box, but he curled it straight into the arms of Jasper Cillessen.
Ezequiel Gonzalez bravely ducked his head between flying boots from a corner, but the 27-year-old centre-back was unable to keep his effort down, while the sliding Ron Vlaar did well to intercept a low Ezequiel Lavezzi cross before Gonzalo Higuain could pounce.
The Netherlands, for their part, struggled to get the ball to danger man Arjen Robben and failed to force Sergio Romero into a save before the half-time whistle sounded.
If the first half was tame, the second was even tamer. Argentina finally sprung to life on 75 minutes, however, when Messi spun his man down the right touchline but was felled. The referee played the advantage, allowing Enzo Perez to surge forward and cross for Higuain, whose first-time stab hit the side-netting.
After the contest crawled into added time, the Netherlands conjured up what was its best chance. Sneijder’s crafty flick sent Robben racing into the Argentinian area. The 30-year-old nevertheless took too many touches, which enabled Javier Mascherano to make a superb sliding block from his strike from point-blank range.
Shortly into extra-time, Klaas-Jan Huntelaaar replaced Van Persie. It was Louis van Gaal’s third substitution, eliminating the possibility of quarter-final saviour Tim Krul coming on should the game go to penalties and signalling the Oranje coach’s desire to go for it.
That his charges did. Robben sped in behind the Albiceleste defence, only for Mascherano to divert his cut-back behind, before the Bayern Munich player tested Romero’s hands with a fizzing 25-yard piledriver.
After 115 minutes, Argentina had their finest opening of the match. A long ball over the top bounced into the path of substitute Rodrigo Palacio, but he failed to generate sufficient power on his header to trouble Cillessen.
Both goalkeepers had had little to do in normal and extra time, but
Romero did plenty thereafter to send the masses of Argentinians in Sao Paulo delirious.
HERE IS THE MOMENTS OF ARGENTINA VS NETHERLANDS THROUGH PHOTOS
An Argentina fan soaks up the atmosphere prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Argentina fans cheer on Copacabana Beach during their dramatic shootout in their match against the Netherlands in the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 9, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Argentina went on to win the shootout
An emotional Argentina fan reacts after defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout
Lionel Messi of Argentina shoots and scores his penalty kick in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the
Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates defeating the Netherlands in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Lionel Messi, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Rodrigo Palacio and Ezequiel Garay of Argentina celebrate defeating the Netherlands in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sergio Romero of Argentina saves the penalty kick of Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands (not pictured) in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sergio Romero of Argentina reacts after saving the penalty kick of Wesley Sneijder (not pictured) in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina.
Lionel Messi of Argentina takes a free kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina.
Courtesy : FIFA.COM
