Netherlands (2)0-0(4) Argentina Semi Final

The Netherlands World Cup dreams can crashing down in a cruel way as a penalty shoot out was the way the were shown the exit door from the competition.

The game had been a lacklustre and tactical affair with many of the players tuning in last night to see Germany's demolishing job of Brazil they may have feared being to risky could happen to them.

The World Cup stage is one were you hope to see the best players at club level rise to the biggest stage in the world. However players such as Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayer Munich's Arjen Robben were hidden from the game although playing 120 minutes.

Much of a contrast from last night were we saw eight goals and seven from the Germans this one had none if you exclude penalties. 

Chances were few and far between as Robben had the best chance for his Dutch side in the dying embers of the game and Argentina in the dreaded extra time were substitute Palcio had made a poor judgement in heading the ball when he had a clear cut chance.

Surprises have been jumping out at football fans throughout the World Cup and a few from Holland as well with the likes of Robin Van Persie being taken off by Van Gaal when he was thought to be their star man also the last minute alteration of Tim Krul or otherwise known as the penalty specialist coming on in the 119th minute for penalties against Costa Rica in the quarter finals.

Another surprise this time from the soon to be full-time United boss as he did not bring on his penalty saving keeper to save the game for him. In consequence Argentina the last remaining South American team scored all their penalties in style with the Dutch missing two of the four they took.

The jubilation and passion shown from not only goalkeeper Sergio Romero and the Argentina players provoked an onslaught of sad orange fans notably Arjen Robben's young child who was seeing in tears at the final whistle.

Man of the match was Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar as he's superb muscular strength and determination to let no balls into the channels or into the box made him a game saver for his country. Everything the South Americans tried to throw his way his dealt with smartly and powerfully as he even shut world star Lionel Messi out of the game keeping him at arms length.
 

Man of the match: Ron Vlaar