Argentina and Germany will meet in their third FIFA World Cup final at Estadio do Maracana in Rio De Janeiro after the South Americans beat tournament early pacesetters Netherlands 4-2 on penalties. The highly tactical contest played at Sao Paulo had finished goalless after extra time and the Dutch unable to bring on their specialist penalty kicks saver Tim Krul, the Albiceleste’s shot stopper Sergio Romero saved two penalties to see his team through. The AS Monaco goal minder believes that this is their moment to shine along with their inspirational captain and four times world footballer of the year Lionel Messi…

A Maradonna inspired Argentina won the 1986 World Cup edition in Mexico beating Germany 3-2 in the final but the Europeans made it even when they beat the South Americans 1-0 in the Italian World Cup four years later. FC Barcelona’s utility player Javier Mascherano who had a great game says football intelligence got them to the final…

Mascherano has already won two Olympic gold medals with Argentina and his five star performance at Sao Paulo was also praised by coach Allejandro Sabella…

Meanwhile reacting to the Netherlands defeat to Argentina and the prospect of facing hosts Brazil in a 3rd place play-off, Louis Van Gaal says he has always stated that there should never be such a fixture and only a final after the semi-finals…

Van Gaal’s comments were also echoed by the influential winger Arjen Robben who was also part of the team that walked away with silver medals at FNB stadium four years ago…Journalist: Velile Mbuli