Javier Mascherano has spoken of the pain he had to endure to help Argentina reach the World Cup final, revealing that he "tore his anus" while making the heroic match-saving tackle on Arjen Robben in the final minute of the semi-final victory over the Netherlands.

Describing the perfectly-timed tackle on the flying Dutchman, Mascherano said: "I thought I had slipped, I thought I wouldn’t make it, but I tore my anus on that move, the pain...it was terrible.

"I threw myself into it. I could have been sent off. It could have been a penalty but anyone could have done that, I had the luck to get there."

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Argentina then went on to win the semi-final in Sao Paulo on penalties after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time.

Mascherano had earlier shaken off a nasty head injury to continue the game, and says that the all the pain was worth it, as playing in a World Cup final will be the pinnacle of his career.

"I cried at the end because I have spent a lot of time waiting for this moment," the 30-year-old said.

Video: Argentina seal place in World Cup Final

Shape Created with Sketch. Netherlands 0 Argentina 0 player ratings Show all 22 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Netherlands 0 Argentina 0 player ratings 1/22 Jasper Cillessen Kept starting place after being taken off for Saturday’s spot-kicks. Held on to a Messi free-kick and displayed fine turn of feet but had little to do. Didn't save a penalty. 6/10 Getty Images 2/22 Ron Vlaar Aston Villa man came through injury worry and was strong as he relished physical battle in the rain. Positionally superb and put his body on the line. Weak penalty was saved in the shootout. 8 Getty Images 3/22 Bruno Martins Indi Offered further muscle at the back and often resorted to pulls and checks to stop danger of Messi. Booked and replaced at the break by Janmaat. 5 Getty Images 4/22 Stefan de Vrij Has come of age in these finals and continued to display calm authority in a defensive match. Strong challenge on Lavezzi went unpunished. 7 Getty Images 5/22 Dirk Kuyt Mr Utility was switched to the right on his 102nd appearance for the national side. Adapted well and shut out Messi before moving over to the left. 6 Getty Images 6/22 Georginio Wijnaldum Clashed heads with Mascherano but again unable to bring domestic form to international scene. All too often wasted momentum of Dutch attacks. 5 Getty Images 7/22 Daley Blind Struggled to repel Argentina attacks down his side before being moved further back after the break as coach Louis van Gaal reshuffled.6 Getty Images 8/22 Nigel de Jong Brought back into side a week after being ruled out of tournament. Did a fine job on containing Messi, keeping on the right side of the law – just. 7 Getty Images 9/22 Wesley Sneijder Minimal impact on proceedings before the break and left field briefly for treatment. Failed to trouble Romero with free-kick after interval. Had his penalty saved in the shootout. 6 Getty Images 10/22 Arjen Robben Flying Dutchman was grounded before break, touching the ball just six times. Improved in second half; denied at the last by Mascherano’s challenge.6 Getty Images 11/22 Robin van Persie Was he ever likely not to make the match? Just beaten to ball by Garay when poised to go clear but often left marooned up front. Hooked over.6 Getty Images 12/22 Sergio Romero Made strong clearances after Dutch took time to find their feet. Liked to punch rather than catch but was confident. Was the hero in the shootout. 7 Getty Images 13/22 Pablo Zabaleta Eager to advance but struggled to penetrate massed defence. Sprayed wide to Lavezzi to spark attack but gave away one dangerous free-kick.7 Getty Images 14/22 Marcos Rojo Returned after missing win over Belgium through suspension. Got forward well but overhit ball at times. Late shot claimed easily by Cillessen.7 Getty Images 15/22 Ezequiel Garay Displayed bravery in heading over from close range in midst of Vlaar’s swinging foot. Cleared well from Van Persie and equally adept with just the one boot.7 Getty Images 16/22 Martin Demichelis Manchester City stopper escaped card for swipe at Sneijder before being booked for holding Robben back. Has had a fine tournament.8 Getty Images 17/22 Javier Mascherano Fell back to allow Rojo and Zabaleta forward. Left sprawled out after clash of heads with Wijnaldum. Sublime saving tackle on Robben late on.8 Getty Images 18/22 Lucas Biglia Snuffed out danger as Robben broke free early in the second period. Crunching tackle on Janmaat ended with Lazio man clutching his arm.6 Getty Images 19/22 Enzo Perez In-demand Benfica maestro was quick to settle and buzzed around Dutch penalty area in impressive display. Inswinging cross wasted by Higuain.7 Getty Images 20/22 Ezequiel Lavezzi Delivered fine cross that Higuain was unable to reach. Lively down the right and was Argentina’s main threat without producing telling final7 Getty Images 21/22 Lionel Messi Fired free-kick straight at Cillessen but shadowed by Nigel de Jong. Sent fine ball to Perez before ballooning over and faded badly after interval.6 Getty Images 22/22 Gonzalo Higuain Caught offside too easily and beaten to header by Janmaat. Had to work hard to get any joy out Vlaar and stabbed into side netting from close range.5 Getty Images 1/22 Jasper Cillessen Kept starting place after being taken off for Saturday’s spot-kicks. Held on to a Messi free-kick and displayed fine turn of feet but had little to do. Didn't save a penalty. 6/10 Getty Images 2/22 Ron Vlaar Aston Villa man came through injury worry and was strong as he relished physical battle in the rain. Positionally superb and put his body on the line. Weak penalty was saved in the shootout. 8 Getty Images 3/22 Bruno Martins Indi Offered further muscle at the back and often resorted to pulls and checks to stop danger of Messi. Booked and replaced at the break by Janmaat. 5 Getty Images 4/22 Stefan de Vrij Has come of age in these finals and continued to display calm authority in a defensive match. Strong challenge on Lavezzi went unpunished. 7 Getty Images 5/22 Dirk Kuyt Mr Utility was switched to the right on his 102nd appearance for the national side. Adapted well and shut out Messi before moving over to the left. 6 Getty Images 6/22 Georginio Wijnaldum Clashed heads with Mascherano but again unable to bring domestic form to international scene. All too often wasted momentum of Dutch attacks. 5 Getty Images 7/22 Daley Blind Struggled to repel Argentina attacks down his side before being moved further back after the break as coach Louis van Gaal reshuffled.6 Getty Images 8/22 Nigel de Jong Brought back into side a week after being ruled out of tournament. Did a fine job on containing Messi, keeping on the right side of the law – just. 7 Getty Images 9/22 Wesley Sneijder Minimal impact on proceedings before the break and left field briefly for treatment. Failed to trouble Romero with free-kick after interval. Had his penalty saved in the shootout. 6 Getty Images 10/22 Arjen Robben Flying Dutchman was grounded before break, touching the ball just six times. Improved in second half; denied at the last by Mascherano’s challenge.6 Getty Images 11/22 Robin van Persie Was he ever likely not to make the match? Just beaten to ball by Garay when poised to go clear but often left marooned up front. Hooked over.6 Getty Images 12/22 Sergio Romero Made strong clearances after Dutch took time to find their feet. Liked to punch rather than catch but was confident. Was the hero in the shootout. 7 Getty Images 13/22 Pablo Zabaleta Eager to advance but struggled to penetrate massed defence. Sprayed wide to Lavezzi to spark attack but gave away one dangerous free-kick.7 Getty Images 14/22 Marcos Rojo Returned after missing win over Belgium through suspension. Got forward well but overhit ball at times. Late shot claimed easily by Cillessen.7 Getty Images 15/22 Ezequiel Garay Displayed bravery in heading over from close range in midst of Vlaar’s swinging foot. Cleared well from Van Persie and equally adept with just the one boot.7 Getty Images 16/22 Martin Demichelis Manchester City stopper escaped card for swipe at Sneijder before being booked for holding Robben back. Has had a fine tournament.8 Getty Images 17/22 Javier Mascherano Fell back to allow Rojo and Zabaleta forward. Left sprawled out after clash of heads with Wijnaldum. Sublime saving tackle on Robben late on.8 Getty Images 18/22 Lucas Biglia Snuffed out danger as Robben broke free early in the second period. Crunching tackle on Janmaat ended with Lazio man clutching his arm.6 Getty Images 19/22 Enzo Perez In-demand Benfica maestro was quick to settle and buzzed around Dutch penalty area in impressive display. Inswinging cross wasted by Higuain.7 Getty Images 20/22 Ezequiel Lavezzi Delivered fine cross that Higuain was unable to reach. Lively down the right and was Argentina’s main threat without producing telling final7 Getty Images 21/22 Lionel Messi Fired free-kick straight at Cillessen but shadowed by Nigel de Jong. Sent fine ball to Perez before ballooning over and faded badly after interval.6 Getty Images 22/22 Gonzalo Higuain Caught offside too easily and beaten to header by Janmaat. Had to work hard to get any joy out Vlaar and stabbed into side netting from close range.5 Getty Images

"This is my third World Cup and maybe my last one.

"It's a delight to be in the final, a delight that lifts your soul.

"It's something you can't explain, it's something I never imagined would happen.

"And I know the people at home will be happy because two generations could not see Argentina in the final of a World Cup, they can see us there now so we are happy for that."

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