Still in shock after the 1-7 drubbing of Brazil by Germany last night, the football world turned its attention to the second World Cup semi-final between Holland and Argentina, where the latter progressed in the cruelest way possible.
In contrast to the game on Tuesday night, the second semi-final offered little entertainment, with the game lacking clear cut chances. Two very evenly matched sides would cancel eachother out and want to win the game in normal time the longer the game progressed.
The first chance of any real note would fall to Argentinian centre-back Garay from Lavezzi’s corner. With a kick to the face to add insult to injury, he saw his header go over the bar after doing so well to work space within the area.
Te remainder of the first half was drab, with the Netherlands happy so sit around the halfway line with the ball looking for any opening that may emerge and, as long as there was no danger, Argentina seemed happy to go along with it. Goalless at the break.
The second half followed a very similar pattern in the sense that the fans in the stadium and millions watching around the world were still waiting for a clear cut chance for either side. Higuain hit the side netting which many watching on the TV mistook for a goal on 75 minutes, which kept fans somewhat interested on the match.
Stoppage time was unsurprisingly more frantic as both teams, particularly the Netherlands, realised that one goal now would put them on the biggest stage of all. Arjen Robben bundled through the Argentinian backline on 91 minutes but former Liverpool man Javier Mascherano did brilliantly to recover and block what was definitely a shot on his sides’ goal.
The game would head into extra time, with the first 15 providing now clear cut chances whatsoever. The second period, however, would take a different course.
Palacio, on as a substitute for Argentina, found a shot somehow end up bouncing infront of him from a teammates’ cross. He mis-controlled the cross initially and tried a deft header over Cillessen as the Dutch keeper raced off his line, but a good reaction reach denied Argentina the lead.
Maxi Rodriguez, also on as a substitute, would have a chance just 2 minutes later and 2 minutes before penalties would be the only option. Messi’s skill followed by a searching cross found the former Liverpool man but instead on powering his shot on the volley, he looked to control it with a side-foot technique, and he saw his effort bounce into Cillessen’s arms.
No goals in 120 minutes: penalties to decide who would face Germany in the final.
- Ron Vlaar (bizarrely), up first for the Netherlands. Miss! No where near the corner from the Aston Villa defender means its an easy save for Romero. 0-0.
- Less surprisingly, Leo Messi up first for Argentina. Scores! Sends Cillessen the wrong way. 0-1.
- Arjen Robben to get Holland off the mark. Scores! Slotted into the bottom right hand corner. 1-1.
- Ezequiel Garay to put Argentina back infront. Scores! Smashed home into the top of the net. 1-2.
- Wesley Sneijder to level it up again. Misses! Great save from Romero, diving to his right, but it was a nice height for him. 1-2.
- Sergio Aguero to make it match-point Argentina…. Scores! On as a sub, the Man City striker slots it into the bottom left, Cillessen going to right way. 1-3.
- Dirk Kuyt MUST score. Scores! Keeps the Netherlands in it for one more penalty at least. 2-3.
- Maxi Rodriguez to send Argentina to the final… Scores! Cillessen got a hand to it but can’t save the first penalty in his professional career. 2-4.
Argentina vs Germany in the final on Sunday, July 13th. Chelsea fans wanting to see one of the stars lift the World Cup will be rooting for Andre Schurrle and Germany, while Argentina are surely underdogs.
