SAO PAULO, Brazil -- The World Cups second semifinal was supposed to put the silky skills of Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben in the spotlight. Tom Brady Jersey . Instead, a goalkeeper and two rock-solid defences stole the show. Argentina goalie Sergio Romero saved two penalties Wednesday to send Argentina into the World Cup final with a 4-2 shootout win over the Netherlands after tough defending and a lack of creative spark from either team consigned the match to a 0-0 stalemate. In a twist of fate, Romero credited Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal with helping launch his career when he arrived as an inexperienced youngster at AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league. "I will be forever grateful to the coach for helping me out in a country that is so different from ours," Romero said. A day after Germany lit up the World Cup with its clinical 7-1 destruction of host Brazil, the Dutch and Argentines could not manage a goal between them in 120 minutes before the shootout. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, will have to do play far better in Sundays final at Rio de Janeiros Maracana Stadium if he is to engineer a win over the powerful German team. The Barcelona star was muted throughout the match and extra time, rarely managing to shake off his markers. At the Itaquerao Stadium, he was overshadowed by his goalkeeper and the man he replaced as Argentina captain, Javier Mascherano, who bossed the midfield for his team the way surprise starter Nigel de Jong did for the Dutch. When Robben looked like deciding the match in stoppage time, Mascheranos perfectly timed sliding tackle blocked his shot at the near post. "I would say that he is an outstanding player," Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said. "He is an emblem within our national squad, on the field as well as off it." Romero -- thought to be a weak link for Argentina and not even a starter for his Monaco club most of last season -- had almost nothing to do during the match, but blocked penalties by Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder in the shootout. For Argentina, Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez all converted their spot kicks. "Its luck, thats the truth. You can dive (the right way) and not make it, like happened to their goalkeeper," Romero said. "I had confidence, thank God things turned out well." A Germany-Argentina final means an extra bitter end to the tournament for Brazilians, who will have to watch their fiercest rivals play for the world title in their most hallowed stadium against a team that humiliated their nation in the semifinals. "We have a final to play, but with one day less rest and against Germany," Sabella said. "Well do everything possible to make it all the way to the top." It was the second straight penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw for the Dutch. Against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, Van Gaal brought on substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul in the last seconds of extra time to replace Jasper Cillessen and Krul saved two spot kicks. This time, Van Gaal had used up all three substitutions by the end of extra time and Cillessen had to face the shootout. The young Ajax goalkeeper collapsed onto his knees and sank onto his back when Rodriguezs powerful strike ended the shootout. Krul walked across the pitch to console him. Van Gaal also said he had a hand in Romeros heroics from their time together at AZ Alkmaar. "Penalties are always a matter of luck," he said. "And I taught Romero how to stop penalties so that hurts." Many of Argentinas players stripped off their shirts in the rain at the Itaquerao Stadium and danced in front of their fans. Argentina reached its fifth final, and its first in 24 years. It won the title in 1978 -- beating the Dutch -- and in 1986. It lost the championship matches in 1930 and 1990. It played West Germany in both the 86 and 90 finals. The Netherlands, which has never won the World Cup, was seeking to reach its fourth final. After scoring 10 goals in three group matches, the Dutch scoring dried up in the knockout rounds. The team managed two late strikes against Mexico but failed to find the net before eliminating Costa Rica in the quarterfinal shootout. "The issue in a championship like this one is that you score one more goal than your opponent, which we didnt do," Van Gaal said, "We didnt create very much." ------ Lineups: Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen; Dirk Kuyt, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi (Daryl Janmaat, 46), Daley Blind; Nigel de Jong (Jordy Clasie, 62), Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie (Klaas Jan Huntelaar). Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez (Rodrigo Palacio, 81); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Maxi Rodriguez, 101), Gonzalo Higuain (Sergio Aguero, 82), Lionel Messi. Richard Seymour Jersey . Tyutin has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury which occurred while playing for Russia at the Olympics. The top-two defenceman has four goals and 20 assists, 30 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in 53 games with Columbus this season. Matt Light Jersey .In the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte, German champion Bayern Munich remained third but Barcelona dropped from second to fourth during its trophyless 2014.In the 2013-2014 financial year, Real generated 549. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/541p-mohamed-sanu-sr-jersey-patriots.html . -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch.Each week, The Three-Man Weave will fill the lanes and Weave To Achieve on the News, Views and Truths of the NBA and beyond. The unit will be led by Will Strickland and Duane Watson, hosts of TSN 1050s basketball radio show, 1 On 1 with Will & Duane. This week, international comedian and basketball fan Frankie “Trixx” Agyemang joins #3MW as they discuss the NBA Playoffs, which have gotten off to a rousing start. Adding to the excitement are the gritty Toronto Raptors, who are in the midst of a historic journey through the NBAs second season. Should the Raptors take Terrence Ross out of the starting line-up and start Landry Fields? Trixx: I do think they should take Terrence Ross out for a more defensive player. And although I think Landry Fields is as valuable as a broken bike reflector, his defence may be valuable... Considering what theyre about to face in BK!Watson: No. Despite Ross lack of ability to slow down Paul Pierce, or get his shot going, you still stick to what got you there. If Ross struggles stem from his inability to adjust to the post-season level of play, benching him is only going to affect the sophomores psyche. Fields was exactly what the Raptors needed on the defensive end, but Coach Casey can regulate his minutes off the bench.Strickland: Yes. Ross shouldnt look at this as a demotion, but rather a way to help him get back as a primary scoring option off the bench on track while helping the team better defend Joe Johnson. Jason Kidd sadistically attacked DeMar DeRozan with the seven-time All Star in Johnson during Game 2 in Toronto. The Raptors were able to overcome Iso-Joe with stellar defence in the most important scoreless 18 minutes of Landry Fields life... and maybe even the Dinos record breaking season. Do the Raptors have enough to take two wins on the road in Brooklyn? Trixx: I feel the Raps can win at least one and they shouldnt get ahead of themselves! Just focus on Game 3, and the possible bullet holes members of M.O.Ps crew may send into most of their dressing rooms! Masai might wanna consider staying in Long Island or perhaps New Jersey for this one... Juss sayin!Watson: Toronto took a much needed Game 2, but still have adjustments to make. For the intensity, noise and energy that Air Canada Centre showed, its going to be interesting to see how the Raptors respond being showered with chants of "Brroooooookkkklllllllyyyyynnnnn" from the Barclays Center faithful. Coach Caseys group were road warriors this season, setting a franchise high with 22 road wins and should be able to take one of the two games.Strickland: Absolutely. Toronto had 40 turnovers in the first two games of the series, so valuing each possession is paramount to success in the playoffs, especially against a veteran team like the Nets. If the young Raptors team can limit their affinity for offering fresh baked pastries to their older opponents, there is an ever greater chance of flipping Brooklyn into "Crooklyn" and steal a game or two games on the road. Is Frank Vogels job in jeopardy if the Pacers lose before the Eastern Conference Finals? Trixx: If the Pacers lose and are eliminated in round one, I dont think theyll necessarily fire the coach, but I do think things will be shaken up! Lance (Stephenson) will probably be gone for his antics and Roy Hibbert thinks Paul George is selfish from those off-court issues. The line-up will definitely be shaken up! Watson: Jeopardy? Yes, not entirely sure if he will get fired, the Pacers looked like they were playing out of Tankers Life Fieldhouse for the second half of the season and couldnt get it together in Game 1 against the Hawks. This team is in a free fall and is in danger of making it out of the first round, when the NBA Finals were the goal. Larry Bird is going to be forced to make some kind of change.Strickland: In our Playoff Preview on #1On1, a wise hoops sage whose name rhymes with "Will Strickland" predicted that the Pacers were primed for an upset by the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks, who had destroyed Indyy is the last game of the regular season. Kyle Van Noy Jersey. . That said, Frank Vogels squad has been punched in the mouth again by the Hawks, are now down 2-1 in the series after a rollercoaster season of dysfunction and infighting, and are being asked questions they may be unable to answer. Now, if Indy loses this series, much less doesnt advance to the NBA Finals, Vogel might as well place a listing to sell his home there. Are the Washington Wizards for real? Trixx: The Wizards are no joke and they may do more damage than expected in the playoffs... John Wall and the other guys or as I like to call them, "Destinys Child feat John Wall," have no pressure. Theyre just loose and theyre just playing, there are no expectations for them so they have nothing to prove. This makes them very dangerous! Theyve already overachieved by winning more than 10 games this season! Watson: They are about as real as the Raptors and Bobcats are, all three teams overachieved this season and finished above .500. However, the Wizards are facing a tough defensive team with veteran experience and finding ways to win. Theyre getting balanced production, with solid contributions from their bigs in Nene and Marcin Gortat, scoring and speed out of Bradley Beal and John Wall and three-point shooting out of the playoff savvy Trevor Ariza. If the Pacers fall, the Wiz can possibly end up in the Eastern Conference final.Strickland: Along with having backcourt mates of the future in All-Star John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards also possess the calming effect of crafty veteran Andre Miller off the bench, NBA champion utility man Trevor Ariza, the surprising coaching job of perennial hot seat candidate Randy Wittman and a better-than-advertised defence. Under-recognized are their bigs up front in Nene and The Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat. Washingtons Twin Towers Of Power are a huge reason why nooooooooobody who wears a Bulls uniform beats the Wiz in Chicago yet and Washington has a chance to close the deal in D.C. Which series so far has proven to be must watch TV in the NBA Playoffs so far? Trixx: The most awesome series is hard to say. I know the series nobody cares about and will probably go straight to DVD is the Chicago/Washington series. Two words from Masai made the Raptors/Nets series personal and I must admit, as expected, the OKC/Memphis series has had some pretty good games! Hard to say, but Im enjoying a lot of round one right now! Watson: As soon as the series were set, it was little secret the Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Clippers was going to be electrifying and it hasnt disappointed. The Warriors ability to score and make big shots whenever needed makes them a team you cant count out; the Clippers are deep and talented with big game players as well. Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin are two of the most exciting players in the NBA and aside from the Game 2 Clippers blowout, the other two games have been decided by six points. Defence will not be the order of the day here.Strickland: Rockets-Blazers, no question about it. LaMarcus Aldridge became a bonafide star in Portlands sweeping of the first 2 games in Houston, flame broiling anyone pretending to guard him to the tune of 44.5 ppg, 12.5 rebs and 2.5 blks. Despite James Hardens poor play thus far, the eyes of the many are trained on Dwight David Howard, who cried his way out of Orlando to the Lakers, came up woefully short of expectations in a drama-filled season in LA and left $30 million on the table to win a title in Houston. On paper, the Rockets are one of the most talented teams in The Association. But the games aint played on paper and the Blazers looked as poised as their sophomore PG Damian Lillard is to launch the Rockets into an early summer vacation.The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest hoops fanatic and rising Canadian comedic superstar Trixx (@ComedianTrixx) ' ' '