USA Africa Dialogue Series - FINAL - Argentina defeat Netherlands 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) to advance to World Cup final

FINAL - Argentina defeat Netherlands 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) to advance to World Cup final

http://www.thescore.com/worldcup/news/535228


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FINAL - Argentina defeat Netherlands 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) to advance to World Cup final
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 11:37PM

Argentina are back in the final of the World Cup for the first time since 1990, defeating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of scoreless action at the Arena de Sao Paulo.

Maxi Rodriguez scored the winning penalty after Sergio Romero made two saves, denying Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder.

Penalty results

Ron Vlaar (Netherlands) - SAVE

Lionel Messi (Argentina) - GOAL

Arjen Robben (Netherlands) - GOAL

Ezequiel Garay (Argentina) - GOAL

Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) - SAVE

Sergio Aguero (Argentina) - GOAL

Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands) - GOAL

Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina) - GOAL

The Albiceleste will now meet Germany on July 13 at the Maracana for the right to hoist the World Cup.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

26 mins ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Penalties to decide place in World Cup final
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 11:33PM
After 120 minutes of scoreless action, the Netherlands and Argentina will decide who plays Germany in the World Cup final from the penalty spot.

Neither team was able to find an opening, with each defense expertly drilled on a tense, rainy evening in Sao Paulo.

Substitute Rodrigo Palacio had the best chance to end the match midway through the second period of extra time, finding himself clean through on goal before putting a meek header straight into the hands of Jasper Cillessen.


For the first time in 16 years, a place in the World Cup final will be decided from 12 yards away.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

41 mins ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Still no goals as penalties inch closer
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 11:18PM
105 minutes played, and still we await the opening goal of the match.

Both teams have made all three substitutions, and the fresh legs do look capable of taking advantage of the spaces that are beginning to open up as the players who have been on from the opening whistle continue to tire.

That said, there has yet to be a truly golden opportunity that has left either of the two goalkeepers really sweating.

If we don't get a goal in the next 15 minutes, the teams will need a penalty shootout to determine who joins Germany in the World Cup final.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

50 mins ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Ineffective Van Persie replaced by super-sub Huntelaar
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 11:09PM
If this match goes to penalties, it will be on Jasper Cillessen to get his team into the World Cup final. Tim Krul isn't coming to the rescue today.

Louis van Gaal has made his final substitution six minutes into extra time, replacing captain Robin van Persie with fellow striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

After scoring the late winner against Mexico, does the man affectionately known as 'Hunter' have it in him to play the role of super sub once again?

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

1 hour ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Place in the final still up for grabs as we head to extra time
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 10:56PM
It's been tight. It's been cagey. And we're going to get 30 more minutes of it.

Argentina and the Netherlands were both solid in defense for 90 minutes, allowing few openings and clogging the space in which the most creative players on the pitch (Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben) had to operate.

That Ron Vlaar - yes, that Ron Vlaar - has been the best player on the pitch tells you everything you need to know about this contest.

The two teams tired near the end of regular time, creating more openings for the respective attackers, with only a miraculous slide tackle from Javier Mascherano denying Robben the winning goal in injury time.


Germany continue to lounge deeper into their chairs and wait.

We're heading into extra time.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

1 hour ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Palacio, Aguero come on with 10 minutes remaining
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 10:46PM
Alejandro Sabella is going all in with ten minutes remaining.

The Argentine manager has introduced strikers Rodrigo Palacio and Sergio Aguero in the 81st minute, replacing Enzo Perez and Gonzalo Higuain.

Aguero has not played since suffering a thigh injury in the last group match against Nigeria. Does he have it in him to replicate his magical Manchester City moment and score the late winner?

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

1 hour ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: De Jong off, Clasie makes World Cup debut
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 10:25PM
Nigel de Jong was never going to be able to go the full 90 minutes, but he did a wonderful job mirroring Lionel Messi for as long as he could.

That turned out to be 62 minutes.

The midfielder has been replaced by Jordy Clasie, who is making his first appearance in the tournament. In the semifinal. No big deal.

Classic Louis van Gaal.

Will this leave Lionel Messi with more space?

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

1 hour ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Garay makes clearance while wearing just one boot (VIDEO)
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 10:13PM
Here's something you don't see very often. Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay was forced to make a clearance early in the second half while wearing just one boot, with the other having fallen off.

The best part? He was holding it in his hand.


Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

1 hour ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Janmaat replaces Martins Indi to begin 2nd half
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 10:07PM
Bruno Martins Indi will play no further part in today's match, as the defender has been replaced to begin the second half by Daryl Janmaat.

Martins Indi did pick up a yellow card at the end of the first frame, which could have influenced Louis van Gaal's decision.

The move sees Dirk Kuyt switch over to left wing-back, Daley Blind moves into the middle of the defense while Janmaat assumes Kuyt's original spot at right wing-back.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

2 hours ago
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LIVE - Netherlands 0, Argentina 0: Few openings in the half as defense reigns supreme
Gianluca Nesci Jul 09 2014, 09:54PM
At this point yesterday, it was already 5-0.

Despite all of the attacking talent on the pitch today in Sao Paulo, Argentina and the Netherlands were unable to find the breakthrough, and head into the dressing room the same way they came out of it 45 minutes ago.

Each team enjoyed early spells of possession, with the Albiceleste slowly taking control midway through the frame. That said, their ability to dictate the pace did not result in any real opportunities that threatened Jasper Cillessen, whose best save came from a Lionel Messi free kick.

As for the Argentine captain, he was shadowed all half long by Nigel de Jong, who was a late inclusion in the starting lineup after recovering from a groin injury. It's a good thing, too. The tough-tackling midfielder followed Messi around everywhere, forcing the diminutive No. 10 to drop very deep in order to pick up the ball, and effectively cut off Argentina's ability to create openings inside the Dutch half.

While Enzo Perez had a decent half, one can't help but think that the incisive running of Angel di Maria would have seriously helped to unlock the Oranje defense. Without the winger on the pitch, Messi was isolated.

Ezequiel Lavezzi looked the most menacing of the Argentine's in the opening half, finding plenty of space down the right wing, where Dutch wingback Daley Blind was often caught too far up the pitch. Indeed, if a goal is going to come for Argentina, it seems likely that it will originate with play down that side of the pitch.

As for the Dutch, Arjen Robben has not been able to make any sort of a mark on the contest. For all of their good defensive work, the European side has not been able to cause any problems with their typically lightning-fast counter attack.

In truth, the best moment of skill from the Netherlands came courtesy of their goalkeeper:

Something has to give in the second half.

Feature photo courtesy of Reuters

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