In a match that was as turgid and tense as Germany's 7-1 victory over Brazil in the first last-four match was thrilling and spectacular, there was little to split the two teams over 120 minutes of action.

In pouring rain, goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero with penalty saves from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, while opposite number Jasper Cillessen was unable to save any of the four Argentinian efforts.

Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Garay and Sergio Aguero slotted the first three kicks for the South American side before Maxi Rodriguez converted the final, match-winning penalty.

Unlike in the quarter-final over Costa Rica, Cillessen was not replaced by penalty shootout specialist Tim Krul because coach Louis Van Gaal had already used up all his three substitutions.

The 25-year-old did manage to get a hand to Rodriguez's final effort but could only palm it further into the roof of the net.

This near-miss can be taken as a metaphor for the nation's World Cup fortunes, as their wait for a first-ever triumph continues despite being runners-up on three occasions in addition to the semi-finals of a further two.

Maxi Rodriguez scoring the penalty which sent Argentina into the final
©AFP/Getty Images





This was a pity, as during the course of the match the Dutch proved well organised, dealing superbly with Argentina's chief attacking menace, Messi, who did not touch the ball in the opposition penalty area for the entire match.

Marshalling the defence superbly was one of the surprise packages of the World Cup, Aston Villa centre-back Vlaar, deeming it all the sadder that it was he who missed the first kick from the spot, after being surprisingly selected to step up first.

Van Gaal admitted afterwards that two other players had refused to take the first kick at goal.

But the chief problem for The Netherlands was their lack of attacking penetration and it took 99 minutes until Arjen Robben mustered his sides first shot on target - a tame effort easily saved by Romero.

The best chance for Argentina came courtesy of Gonzalo Higuain, who could only find the side netting with a close range effort in the second half.

On the basis of this performance there is little in the Argentinean team that will worry a rampant Germany side in the Final, who are likely to pose a tougher challenge to a questionable South American defence.

But the Argentinean steel and organisation should not be underplayed, and nor should the presence of Messi, who remains the most consistently dangerous player in world football.

Argentina have faced Germany twice before at a World Cup Final, most recently in 1990 when Germany won 1-0 ©Getty Images



If Argentina are to win their third World Cup they will need Messi to play a similar role to the one played by Diego Maradona during their 3-2 victory over West Germany 28 years ago in Mexico.

The Germans gained revenge four years later in Rome with a 1-0 victory in the final of Italia 1990.

But while Brazil will be still smarting from their 7-1 semi-final humiliation, the host nation will certainly still be willing Germany on in the final.

A victory for bitter rivals Argentina on the final on Sunday (July 13) would rub salt into already aching wounds.

One day before the final match of the month-long tournament, Brazil will attempt to salvage some pride by defeating The Netherlands in the third-place playoff.

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