- Title: ARGENTINA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Argentines ecstatic after beating Netherlands
- Date: 10th July 2014
- Summary: VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER HEADLINES SAYING 'THE HAND OF GOD' AND 'RUN TO GLORY' AND 'IN THE FINAL'
- Embargoed: 25th July 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAA9WKWHP3P15AOJPRP4PG9OIP6
- Story Text: Argentines in Buenos Aires woke up on Thursday (July 10) with joyful memories of yesterday's nail-biting victory against the Netherlands.
Argentina reached their first World Cup final in 24 years on Wednesday (July 9), beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after the first scoreless semi in the tournament's history, with old foes Germany awaiting them in Sunday's (July 13) showpiece.
"We have faith and hope, we knew that Holland would be difficult and the expectation is that on Sunday we will all get together at home and we are going to cheer for Argentina because it's amazing and if we have been able to get here we can make it even further," said one happy Argentina fan, Judith.
The match will be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals, the first of which was won by Argentina before the then West Germany gained revenge four years later.
"Germany has good players, they have beaten us two times already but now we have the chance for revenge," said Argentine Angel Bordon.
Argentina's win compounded the misery for hosts Brazil who were humiliated 7-1 by Germany on Tuesday (July 7) before seeing their worst fears realised when their South American neighbours booked their place at the Maracana on Sunday (July 13).
Marcos Miranda, a Brazilian tourist in Buenos Aires, said he expected to see a tough showdown at the final.
"What happened with Brazil was a disaster, but the ones in the final are those that have played the best throughout the World Cup. Argentina has a very good team, Germany has an excellent team and Argentina has a star, which is Messi and that is going to unhinge things in the final," said Miranda.
Brazil may have won the World Cup more than any other country, but the one they wanted most of all will now be played between two of their greatest rivals.
When asked about how Brazilians would feel if Argentina ends up winning the Cup, Miranda said that while people would be sad, he felt it would be well-deserved.
"They will be very sad but it seems fair to me because Argentina deserves it," he said.
Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez scored the decisive penalty for Argentina after their goalkeeper Sergio Romero had saved spot kicks from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, triggering wild celebrations among Lionel Messi's triumphant team on Wednesday (July 9) evening.
The Dutch will play Brazil in the third-place playoff in Brasilia on Saturday as the recriminations into the host nation's limp exit gather pace. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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