Argentina are into the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup after beating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in Sao Paulo.
La Albiceleste and the Oranje battled out a scoreless draw for 120 minutes before the South Americans prevailed 4-2 in the first shootout in a semi-final since Brazil beat the Dutch by the same scoreline in 1998.
In a match devoid of many serious scoring chances, Holland made life difficult for Argentina ace Lionel Messi while the Albiceleste defence were busy keeping the likes of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben quiet at the other end.
The major moments came late in proceedings when Javier Mascherano produced a match-saving tackle to deny Robben's angled attempt as he bore down on goal before Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen produced a reaction save to keep out Rodrigo Palacio's header with just five minutes remaining.
Even later, Messi sent a floating ball to the back post from the right but Argentine substitute Maxi Rodriguez bundled his attempt into the turf, making it an easy save for Cillessen.
Throughout the match, it looked as though both sides were searching for penalties and in the end that is what we got after seeing just the second 0-0 semi-final draw in World Cup history.
Ron Vlaar stepped up to the spot first but saw his attempt saved by Sergio Romero, who later kept out Wesley Sneijder's spot-kick, as Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez all converted to send Argentina through.
Alejandro Sabella's side will now take on the all-conquering Germany in the final at the Estadio do Maracana on Sunday, the day after Holland meets hosts Brazil in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
It will be the third meeting in a World Cup final between Germany and Argentina after die Mannschaft won 1-0 in Italy in 1990 and La Albiceleste took out the 1986 decider in Mexico with a 3-2 triumph.
2014 FIFA World Cup - Semi-Final
Netherlands: 0 Argentina: 0 *Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.
Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo - 63,267
Yellow cards:NED - Bruno Martins Indi 45', Klaas Jan Huntelaar 105' ARG - Martin Demichelis 49'
