Argentina converted all four of its penalty kicks in a shootout against the Netherlands on Wednesday in São Paulo to advance to the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Lionel Messi made the first and his teammates Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez followed suit to earn Argentina a date with Germany in Sunday's final in Rio de Janeiro. The Netherlands missed two of their first three attempts, with first Ron Vlaar and then Wesley Sneijder seeing their shots saved by Argentina's goalkeeper, Sergio Romero.

The Netherlands will face host Brazil on Saturday in the third-place game.

In contrast to Tuesday's first semifinal, in which Germany hammered Brazil, 7-1, Wednesday's game provided little in the way of offense and ended scoreless. Argentina managed only six shots on goal; the Netherlands had three.

Sunday's final will be a rematch of the 1986 and 1990 finals. Argentina beat West Germany in the first, in Mexico, with Diego Maradona leading the way, but it dropped the second meeting in Italy four years later.

For Messi, the final will be a chance to finally etch his name alongside Maradona's in national team lore. Given their positions and jersey number they are often compared, with only a World Cup title separating in the eyes of many Argentines. That could finally change on Sunday. Full story »