Argentina Defeats Netherlands in Penalty Shootout

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Argentina knocked in four penalty kicks to the Netherlands’ two, earning a spot in final match.

Argentina will now face Germany at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.

The match will be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals, the first of which was won by Argentina and four years later the West Germany gained revenge.

Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero blocked penalties by Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder. For Argentina, Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez all converted their spot kicks.

“I believe Argentina is a top country, top players. We didn't lose to them,” Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said. “Penalty kicks are always a matter of luck.”

“This was a very hard, very even match,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said.

“We had clearer possibilities to get a score,” he added. “But it was probably a deserved result.”