Okay, so let me get this out of the way right off the bat: while I predicted the winners of the semifinals this weekend accurately, I was entirely wrong about the kinds of games that they would be. Well,, somewhat wrong, anyway.
My predictions had it that if there was to be a high scoring game, it would be between the Netherlands and Argentina.
Instead, it was the first ever World Cup semifinal that went scoreless not just through the first 90 minutes, but through the entirety of the 30 minute extra time sessions, to boot!
Ultimately, it was decided in a penalty kick shootout. And yes, Argentina won, as I figured they would. They just seemed like a team of destiny in this World Cup.
It was pretty strange watching this game after watching the Brazil-Germany game the day before. That contest had been so shocking, and so full of big, explosive moments and emotions. There was some talk among the commentators that the unusually lopsided 7-1 game might weigh in the backs of the minds of both the Netherlands and Argentina. Maybe. This semifinal was so defensive minded, though, that it was the polar opposite of that match. Truth be told, it did not actually feel all that exciting, and seemed almost a letdown, after the shock value of the first semifinal. I literally fell asleep during the halftime, and awoke to find the score still nodded at nil all. Let me say this straight out to illustrate what kind of game this was: I was tempted to just go right back to sleep!
The two teams played through a tough and physical defensive struggle, and scoring opportunities - especially quality ones - were few and far between, for the most part.
So, it was scoreless and went to the penalty kick shootout at the end to decide who would advance to the final with a date to play Germany for the championship on Sunday, and who would have to play Brazil in the consolation third-place game on Saturday instead.
Right away, you knew Netherlands was in trouble when Ron Vlaar, the first guy up for either team, had his shot blocked by Sergio Romero, who was absolutely on fire on this night.
Lionel Messi, arguably the star of this World Cup, was surefooted for Argentina, and they had the early advantage.
The Netherlands responded with their own star, Arjen Robben, who calmly got the Netherlands on the board in the shootout.
With the pressure now on Argentina to keep their advantage, defender Ezequiel Garay stayed calm and got the ball to the back of the net, and Argentina were still ahead.
The third guy up for Netherlands was Wesley Sneijder. And when he failed to convert, Argentina suddenly had a wonderful opportunity. But they had to stay perfect to take the two goal lead in the penalty shootout, and Sergio Agüero converted, giving Argentina the seemingly insurmountable advantage.
Facing enormous pressure, Netherlands had no more margin for error. It could end now at any point for them, but when veteran Dirk Kuyt stepped up, he remained calm and collected, and drilled the goal home.
Argentina's first chance to win it was with the foot of Maxi Rodríguez. The tension was thick, but he was able to get his kick past Dutch goalie Jasper Cillessen, who fell to the ground and stayed there, clearly devastated at not having been able to stop any Argentinian shots. He got a hand on a couple, but they were powerful enough to get by him anyway.
And the Argentinian team ran to the field in jubilation, finally back in the final, with a chance for Messi to get that elusive World Cup title, which surely would secure his place among the all-time greats in the sport's history.
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