Mascherano and Romero STAND UP In Messi's Disappearance to Take Argentina past Holland in 4-2 Penalty Shootout Win

If ever there was a tackle that SAVED a match for a team. Javier Jeremiah Mascherano did that. WHAT A BLOODY BLOCK. Robben was ready to pounce, and take Holland to the Final...but just like Baresi in 94, Mascherano tracked Robben all the way and TIMED that tackle to complete and utter perfection. That was the icing on the cake on what was a STAR performance from Javier.

Then up came those penalties. Van Gaal opted to not use Krul, even though surely Van Persie could have coasted till the end of the match. Don't think he did much running to tire himself out in the first place.

Romero's first stop was just a bad penalty from Vlaar who had NO business stepping up to take the FIRST penalty in a World Cup semi-final. Then the one from Senijder was what you call a PROPER stop. Dived the right way and LEAPED like a flying eagle to thwart Wesley. After that, it was pretty much a formality and Argentina were heading right back into the Final...a place they haven't been since 1990.

The match felt more like the 94 Final than a Semi-Final. It was super tight with about three or four half chances. But a lot has been said about Sabella aka the Mob Boss, being just a stooge to Messi. Well, Lionel was totally taken out in the game by a great Dutch defense, but Sabella stepped up tactically to nullify Robben and restrict the amount of chances Netherlands could muster up.

It was a tactical game where the stars where not the ones we assumed would star, but the defenses and the coaches who tactically cancelled out each other.

Van Gaal took Holland WAY beyond where they should have been. They should never have come out of the group, nor should they have even beaten Mexico. Louis tactically had gotten it all right, until last night.

I defended his use of Krul against Costa Rica and he should have FORCED his captain to see out the match, and then bring on Krul again. In a sick way, Cliessen was under pressure to save penalties, something keepers are never under. He guessed right twice and should have saved Maxi's, but some keepers are good at saving penalties and others aren't. If Krul was in goal, I think he would have saved at least ONE of those penalties.

Then there was the whole Vlaar scenario. EVERYONE was shocked to see Vlaar come up to take the FIRST penalty. It's a written and unwritten rule that you send your best penalty-taker either FIRST or FIFTH. You never want to be behind after your first penalty. Apparently, some refused to take the first one which is bullshit. IF they refused, Van Gaal should have forced them to MAN UP, and take one instead of a guy who I've never seen take one and did not look right walking up to it.

Messi is just one step away. Yeah, he decided not to show up for this match, but he has done so much for Argentina in this World Cup, he scored his penalty and all he needs is ONE last push to seal the deal and gain entrance into the executive club.

I don't think anyone can really argue that he will be seen as on of THE greatest footballers if Argentina end up winning the World Cup. Even if he totally disappears in the Final, with those Germans looking to quieten him, if you look at the goals, assists and the play he has done so far, you can't deny him his place with the four horsemen.

History beckons Lionel....and I feel for Robben Van Gaal and those that put in a shift for Holland.

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