0' Semifinal number two now, and its in the wake of one of the most historic games we might ever see. Argentina now the lone hope for the American continents, to preserve their streak of never conceding the tournament to a European team when playing the host. Both of these teams have history against Germany in world cup finals, and both would like to avenge losses. The Argentine defense might be stretched today, and Robben has been excellent on the wings. Messi sure to stamp his signature on the midfield, but the Dutch defense has looked strong all tournament. Both teams will hope to avoid early goals, and surely will take a lesson from yesterday's Brasilian debacle to stay strong even if the worst were to happen.
15' Both teams coming out cautiously and well settled, patiently probing each other with good strings of possession. Much more becoming the style of play one would expect of a World Cup semifinal. Both teams defending well in midfield and in the back, and there is very little to separate these teams of yet.
30' The game starting to open up a bit for the Argentines, with some excellent runs down the right side by Lavezzi. Unfortunately, he hasn't had numbers in support charging the box, and two corners, a free kick, and two excellent crosses ending up with nothing so far. Dangerous moments as well for Mascherano, who after clashing heads competing for a header is unable to stand on his own two feet and stumbles to the ground. He comes back onto the pitch, but he certainly looked concussed, and this will bring up new discussions into medical staffs doing more in concussion prevention and awareness.
45' Still a scoreless draw, but Argentina have looked the more threatening. Higuain the lone man in the box whenever someone takes the ball down the flanks, and Argentina will have to start sending someone to make runs in support into the box. The Dutch not completely with opportunity, and finding space from overlapping runs down the flanks themselves. So far, a brilliant tactical match.
60' Space starting to develop in the attack for both sides, as perhaps legs and minds are starting to tire. Robben and Messi one or two steps away from blasting chances that players of their caliber rarely miss from, but perhaps defenses not quite worn down just enough for that yet. Sensing a spectacular finish, and both sides still playing excellently and of the highest form.
75' Still no goals, but tension building up steadily. The Argentines the first to put the ball back into the net but its taken away by the sideline referee's offside flag. It was a beautiful finish nonetheless, and the call perhaps controversial, it was a matter of inches at the most. Van Persie starting to find space and get touches as well, and the final 15 minutes will be a strikers time to shine. Its only a matter or who will step up to deliver.
90' The best opportunity of the game for the dutch coming as Sneijder taps in Robben onto goal but he doesn't get his shot off soon enough and its deflected out for a corner. Dangerous moments in the back for Argentina. In the end, 90 minutes not enough to separate these two teams, and we are fortunate to what should prove to be a turbo charged extra time. I can't imagine either team will want to leave it for the coin toss that is penalty kicks.
105' Both teams using their final substitutions in the first extra time period, but it was the Dutch who looked the stronger in this first period. Robben playing strongly, and creating plenty of chances. Messi making a few good runs too, but unable to provide service to any of his teammates. Both of them will look to do better, and settle the match themselves. Plenty of tension with a spot in the finals on the line, and both teams will want to play aggressively.
120' No goal has come, and so its penalties to decide a spot in the final. Argentina having the better of this extra time period, and two close chances saved well. Defense greater than the attack here today, and it was a thrilling match regardless. Both teams well pray to the soccer gods for fortune, and there is hardly anything with which to anoint one of these teams as the better through 120.
Final' And its Argentina who are through, on two beautiful saves by Romero. Cillessen getting a hand to two of Argentina's shots, but only enough to deflect them into goal. Its heartbreak for the Dutch, and heartbreak for Cillessen. The Argentines earn a date with Germany in the final, who they'll face for the third time with the championship on the line. Argentina need to recouperate their fitness, having been taken to a full 120 and a day later than a match that Germany hardly had to try at all. This was an excellent semifinal matchup, and of the highest caliber.
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