Argentina beat Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after a hard fought 120 minutes battle, followed by a tensed penalty shoot-out, to face the mighty Germans in the finals of the World Cup 2014.
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| Argentina players celebrating their victory |
Although Messi is the main man heading into the final, but their semi-final victory over Netherlands will always be remembered as Javier Mascherano’s moment of glory. On at least three occasions, Barcelona star Javier Mascherano saved his side as the team showed defensive brilliance that Brazil lacked last night.
After a magnificent atmosphere had been built up by the two sets of supporters in the hour leading up to kick-off, the players did their very best to dampen spirits entirely in the 120 minutes that followed.
There were not many chances created by either teams during the first half. Ezequiel Garay’s header from the left corner was the closest attempt. Messi's free-kick, which was easily held by Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, was the only shot on target during the first 45 minutes of the game.
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| Lionel Messi taking a free-kick for Argentina. |
During the second half of the game, some amount of panic was felt by both the teams to score goals, but the gamplay remained almost similar. Arjen Robben went so close to scoring just in the dying minutes before full time, but some extra time taken by him to shoot allowed Mascherano to show a fantastic display of his defending capabilities.
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| That game-saving tackle from Mascherano. |
The Dutch team's first real shot came in the 99th minute, which went straight into the hands of the Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
The game which was said to be a battle between Messi and Robben ended up with some brilliant works of defence by Ron Vlaar and Mascherano, who made sure that the match went to the penalties without any goals scored.
Vlaar made sure that Messi did not get a single touch in the box.
Ron Vlaar and Sneijder were the two Netherlands players who missed the penalties, which made way for Argentina to the finals.
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| Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero saves a penalty from Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder. |
To watch highlights, video on demand, skills and dribbles, and live streams from the FIFA World cup 2014 visit
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Some beautiful pictures during the game:
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| Some amazing fans during the match. |
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| Dutch fan showing up a banner during the game. |
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| Arjen Robben consoles his young son who is in tears after the penalty shoot-outs. |
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| Sergio Romero with the Man of the Match trophy |
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| Hot Dutch supporters. |
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| Argentina supporter before the game. |
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| Netherlands supporters cheering for their team!! |
To watch highlights, video on demand, skills and dribbles, and live streams from the FIFA World cup 2014 visit
livsports.in now
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