Shoot-out heroics provide redemption for Romero

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

Yet, as most of the Argentina squad stood around anxiously before the penalty shoot-out with the Netherlands, two of them were unwilling to wait.

Javier Mascherano grabbed goalkeeper Sergio Romero, and went right in close. “Tonight, you make yourself a hero,” the midfielder declared. Romero certainly did that. He seized the moment by getting his hands to two penalties, and sending Argentina to the final.