Argentina secures penalty shootout win over Netherlands, to meet Germany in FIFA WC final

Argentina will meet Germany in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana in Brazil after winning a penalty shootout to eliminate the Netherlands.

The second semi-final on Wednesday was goalless during the prescribed 120 minutes, and was a complete contrast to the spectacular shock defeat of Brazil by Germany in the first semi-final on Tuesday.

According to the BBC, Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero emerged the hero with penalty saves from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, while opposite number Jasper Cillessen was unable to repeat the feats of his deputy, Tim Krul, in the quarter-final win against Costa Rica.

Romero saved two penalties to help Argentina win their fourth World Cup shootout in five attempts

Sunday's final will be a repeat of the 1986 final, which Argentina won 3-2 to record their last World Cup triumph, and West Germany's 1-0 victory in Rome four years later, which was their last win.

Argentina will see the prospect of winning in Brazil's heartland as the perfect incentive.

Earlier in the tournament, Argentine supporters had flooded across the border in thousands to show theri support for the Messi-led national squad.