Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta would love nothing more than to win the World Cup in the spiritual home of Brazilian football.

If declarations of this being the greatest World Cup ever were tempered during what has mostly been bland football since the knockout stages began, one theme has been maintained, if not strengthened, throughout.

Leo Messi looked worried, while Ezequiel Lavezzi couldn’t look at all.

Sergio Romero came back to haunt Louis van Gaal as Argentina beat Holland on penalties to reach the World Cup final.

Argentina 0 Netherlands 0. (AET) (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)

Argentina 0 Netherlands 0. (AET) (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)

THE BANNER held up in the Argentine end depicted Pope Francis with his disciples on either side.

Alejandro Sabella will carry the hopes of a nation and a corner of South Yorkshire on his shoulders as he attempts to lead Argentina into the World Cup final.

Captain Robin van Persie may miss the Netherlands’ World Cup semi-final against Argentina tonight as he is struggling with an upset stomach.

It seems an age ago that Xavi walked into a press conference in Salvador before Spain began their defence of this trophy, full of hope and with earned dreams of further history.

Argentina 1 Belgium 0

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots labelled Argentina as “ordinary” and criticised their spoiling tactics after his side went out of the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat in the quarter-final in Brasilia.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

Argentina 1 Switzerland 0 aet

Nigeria 2 Argentina 3

It was a story that gave an insight into the other Lionel Messi.

Any preconceived ideas we had before the World Cup have been cast aside in an amazing tournament

Argentina 1 Iran 0

Nation has more than three points on the line against Argentina

Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1

Fantasy football and grim reality are set to collide at the 2014 World Cup. Liam Mackey, in Rio de Janeiro, predicts the winner.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is relishing the prospect of facing global superstar and his old team-mate, Lionel Messi, in tonight’s clash with Argentina in Solna.

In football’s catechism of cliché it is customary to claim that some one-season wonder is “frighteningly good”.

Argentina 3 Uruguay 0

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has again voiced his frustration at injured striker Sergio Aguero’s recent international call-up, branding FIFA rules as “stupid”.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has again voiced his frustration at injured striker Sergio Aguero’s recent international call-up, branding FIFA rules as “stupid”.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was today awaiting news of skipper Fabricio Coloccini after it emerged he has suffered an injury on international duty.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has hinted that he could be involved in Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Peru on Tuesday despite not having played for his club since suffering a knee injury on the opening day of the season.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims it is “impossible” for injured striker Sergio Aguero to play for Argentina next month and “ridiculous” he has been called up.

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano believes it will be difficult for his country to prevent Spain from retaining the World Cup in two years’ time.

New manager Alejandro Sabella has left Manchester City’s unsettled striker Carlos Tevez out of the Argentina squad for a pair of friendlies in Asia next month.

Alejandro Sabella will take over as Argentina coach until after the 2014 World Cup finals, Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona has confirmed.

Argentina will use tomorrow night’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland to rid from their system their horrifying World Cup exit.

The Argentinian Football Association have announced they will not name a new coach to succeed Diego Maradona until October at the earliest.