Louis Van Gaal: I regret not bringingTim Krul to thwart Argentina #TheElitePartyinJuly #IRepEntertain9jarBlog #TwitterTrendBlog via @myentertain9jar

WITHOUT Tim Krul to save them Holland lost on penalties last night – meaning Argentina will play Germany in Sunday's World Cup final.

 

Louis Van Gaal wanted to bring on Tim Krul for the penalty shoot-out[REUTERS]

And that will be a re–run of the Italia 1990 final, when the Germans prevailed.

With neither Holland or Argentina able to score in 120 minutes in Sao Paulo it was Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero who became the hero, saving penalties from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder.

Romero said: "We will enjoy the moment and tomorrow we will start working for the final. I feel immense happiness, I'm really happy with everything.

"Penalties are a question of luck, that is the reality.

I had confidence in myself and, fortunately, everything turned out well. Hope has been intact since day one."

Vlaar had been immense throughout the 120 minutes but missed with the first spot–kick and said: "I would never walk away from my responsibility. I wasn't nervous, I was focused. But it must go in and it didn't.

"I know I had a good game, but in the end you stand here with empty hands."

Against Costa Rica in the quarter–final Holland manager Louis van Gaal substituted goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen at the end of extra–time for Krul – who went on to save two penalties.

Tim Krul consoles Daryl Janmaat [REUTERS]

If I had had the opportunity to substitute Cillessen I would have – but I had used my three subs.

Louis Van Gaal

Van Gaal chose not to use that tactic this time and said: "If I had had the opportunity to substitute Cillessen I would have – but I had used my three subs.

"I feel disappointment, it is the most terrible scenario to lose on penalties. We were equal in the match if not better. We took those penalties in an incredible way against Costa Rica, but the issue is you score the first one and I asked two players to take the first ball before ending up with Vlaar.

"I thought he was the best player on the pitch so should have a lot of confidence. It just goes to show it's not easy scoring in a penalty shoot–out."

Van Gaal had managed Romero when in charge of Dutch side Alkmaar, but said: "I didn't teach him to stop penalties but we were the club who brought him to Europe because he was a big talent. Alkmaar was his first club in Europe and I was his trainer there."

Sergio Aguero scored Argentina's third penalty and said: "It means so many things. A lot of people didn't think Argentina would be in the final, but we know