[Danny]

Well, point is - it really wasn't a lottery. Even before the shootout started, Holland lost. Just think about it; a young keeper who clearly isn't cut for penalty saves also lost maybe the last piece of confidence by being substituted a minute before the Costa Rica shootout. Now, when the stakes are even higher, he has to do the job, and his pale face was the complete opposite of what Krul presented.

Such as unsporting conduct? I'd choose a nervous keeper over one who violates the integrity of the game like Krul did.

The fact that Huntelaar made absolutely zero was predictable. Hey, maybe Krul should have subbed off Persie and played the last part - the effect would be pretty much same.

Why was LvG playing with the rightback position? Clearly players like Verboeve are not cut for the job. He should have relied on Janmaat and not experiment with Kuyt and other options.

Kuyt was one of the best players for the Dutch yesterday.

Also, bringing in Clasie (did he even play before this match?) wasn't exactly helpful. If he wanted to win the games and avoid penalties, he should have brought in Depay or Lens. At one point Argentina was playing with 4 forwards and lost completely composure. A good midfield runner or an extra thinker would have sealed the deal for Holland.

Again, Clasie was excellent. He had at least one incredibly timed tackle on Messi as I recall.

Nah, I think LvG became a bit arrogant and made a couple of mistakes in yesterdays match.

I agree with you often but not here. If LVG had made all the mistakes you imply this match wouldn't even have GONE to ET.

And overall the best player on the pitch was Mascherano, who might just have proven himself as the world's best DM in that match. He made things tougher for the Dutch than the cakewalk you imply it should have been.

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, seems we disagree here. But you've made a good point: I may have exaggerated LvG's errors. Those were errors of finesse, but after the brilliant displays, one would hope it repeats.

My point is that Cilessen wasn't able to bring in anything for the shootout, while the whole substition line could have been avoided with more preparations. In the end, yes, Krul was unfair, but the harm was already done. Seeing Cilessen trying to emulate what Krul has done earlier was painfully tragicomic.

[dst]

I too don't understand the Huntelaar substitution. Holland (as well as Argentina) clearly had problem getting the ball forward and Huntelaar is not a creator and he can't do much in tight spaces other than get the ball with his back to the goal and pass it to incoming players. Even if he'd inserted a creator in the game I still think it'd be unnecessarily risky. He knew he had a goalie that's a PK specialist so he should have waited. Not that that would have guaranteed a win but even mentally, after his display in the shootout against Costa Rica he would have gotten into the Argentinians's heads. I guess he didn't want to put all the pressure on Krul but he put all the pressure on Cillessen and the latter was evidently scared and didn't even manage to stop the last PK even though he guessed correctly. I know this is second-guessing and he probably thought they wouldn't be able to win two PS in a row (especially with their history (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) but it was too big of a risk for me.

I would choose De Jong and Van Persie on crutches if they could play.

I agree with this.

[kurtsimonw]

RvP has been really bad in the KO games though.

[Danny]

RvP has been really bad in the KO games though.

When he's good, he's actually ridiculous. When bad, yes, really doesn't add much.

[kurtsimonw]

I hadn't realised how close Vlaar's penalty was to going in. Went back towards the goal and stopped on the line!

[Fillipo Simone]

Poor guy. Seems like no one wanted to shoot first, and then Vlaar turned into the next Jaap Stam. But he had an overall good WC.

[kurtsimonw]

Yeah I was pleased with how he did, he was basically the only Villa player there. I doubt we'll keep him past the summer now. Wouldn't be surprised to see van Gaal take him as a short term fix at United with all the big spending being in other areas.

[Jack Bauer]

Di Maria in the race against the clock to take some part in the final. Probably won't play though.

[Danny]

Di Maria in the race against the clock to take some part in the final. Probably won't play though.

Mascherano is their most important player. Even when Messi doesn't perform and Di Maria is injured, Mascherano keeps them going.

[Jack Sparrow]

And Mascherano has torn his anus making that tackle against Robben. So as twitter is on and on about - Robben torn Mascherano a new a$$hole. Quite literally it would seem. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[Danny]

He was the glue of the Argentinian team. If he's out of the final they literally have no chance.

Thank the Lord.

[han2503]

Mascherano and Di Maria imo are both more important for Argentina than Messi, if those 2 are out then forget about it. It seems like everything is turning the Germans' way. I really can't see how they can lose this at this point

[Fillipo Simone]

Nah, man. It's a world cup final. Everything can happen in such a big match.

[dst]

Argentina absolutely need Mascherano and I doubt he won't fight through it and play. I wouldn't rule them out if he didn't make it though.

I hadn't realised how close Vlaar's penalty was to going in. Went back towards the goal and stopped on the line!

I hadn't realized that either but I just checked this and he totally touched it if you check the camera view from behind him.