Gallery: World Cup - Day 28

Updated / Thursday, 10 Jul 2014 07:11
Day 28 of the World Cup saw the tournament's second semi-final matchup, where the Netherlands took on Argentina in São Paulo
Day 28 of the World Cup saw the tournament's second semi-final matchup, where the Netherlands took on Argentina in São Paulo

Take a look at the best pictures from the second 2014 World Cup semi-final, featuring the Netherlands v Argentina.

Argentina fans around the globe came out to cheer on their squad, from the Copacabana in Rio...
Argentina fans around the globe came out to cheer on their squad, from the Copacabana in Rio...
... to the streets of Kolkata in India
... to the streets of Kolkata in India
A few supporters couldn't resist donning some intimidating headgear
A few supporters couldn't resist donning some intimidating headgear
While the Dutch adopted a similar strategy
While the Dutch adopted a similar strategy
Both teams came out to a raucous crowd in the Arena Corinthians
Both teams came out to a raucous crowd in the Arena Corinthians
Where a moment of silence - in memory of recently deceased Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano - followed the singing of the anthems
Where a moment of silence - in memory of recently deceased Real Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano - followed the singing of the anthems
And with the Pope's blessing, the game kicked off
And with the Pope's blessing, the game kicked off
Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta had his work cut out for him covering Netherlands forward Arjen Robben, who had performed marvellously in the tournament so far
Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta had his work cut out for him covering Netherlands forward Arjen Robben, who had performed marvellously in the tournament so far
Argentina's star forward Lionel Messi took the first of a few free kicks in the first half
Argentina's star forward Lionel Messi took the first of a few free kicks in the first half
And Netherlands fans praised the heavens when the superstar failed to convert
And Netherlands fans praised the heavens when the superstar failed to convert
Messi continued to search for chances
Messi continued to search for chances
A masked supporter approved of his idol's efforts
A masked supporter approved of his idol's efforts
Zabaleta kept it up against Netherlands defender Daley Blind
Zabaleta kept it up against Netherlands defender Daley Blind
While Netherlands keeper Jasper Cillessen managed to wrangle a ball off the foot of Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain
While Netherlands keeper Jasper Cillessen managed to wrangle a ball off the foot of Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain
Midway through the first, Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano went down after a smashing heads with an opposing midfielder
Midway through the first, Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano went down after a smashing heads with an opposing midfielder
And just a bit later, the whistle sounded to conclude the first half of play. These dazed Netherlands fans sat awaiting a goal, as both sides slid into the break drawn scoreless
And just a bit later, the whistle sounded to conclude the first half of play. These dazed Netherlands fans sat awaiting a goal, as both sides slid into the break drawn scoreless
The chess match of the first stretched right on through to the second, where Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong continued to stick to Messi like a hawk on their blitzes up and down the pitch
The chess match of the first stretched right on through to the second, where Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong continued to stick to Messi like a hawk on their blitzes up and down the pitch
Messi took another unsuccessful free kick
Messi took another unsuccessful free kick
While Netherlands defender Daryl Janmaat seemed to let the tactical stalemate get the best of him
While Netherlands defender Daryl Janmaat seemed to let the tactical stalemate get the best of him
Netherlands striker and captain Robin van Persie vied with Messi for the ball
Netherlands striker and captain Robin van Persie vied with Messi for the ball
And Robben had probably the nearest chance of the period, when he took one touch too many on a ball in injury time that was cleared masterfully by Mascherano
And Robben had probably the nearest chance of the period, when he took one touch too many on a ball in injury time that was cleared masterfully by Mascherano
Robben lamented his mistake, which helped to send the match into extra time
Robben lamented his mistake, which helped to send the match into extra time
And by the end of that extra 30' neither side could make anything happen, even when Argentina forward Rodrigo Palacio had a ball fall right into his lap. Onto the second successive penalty shootout for the Netherlands...
And by the end of that extra 30' neither side could make anything happen, even when Argentina forward Rodrigo Palacio had a ball fall right into his lap. Onto the second successive penalty shootout for the Netherlands...
After four shots from Argentina, the side in blue and white emerged victorious, as Cillessen just failed to save a ball from midfielder Maxi Rodriguez
After four shots from Argentina, the side in blue and white emerged victorious, as Cillessen just failed to save a ball from midfielder Maxi Rodriguez
Argentina celebrated their 0(2)-0(4) win, which will see them through to the World Cup final against Germany in Rio on 13 July
Argentina celebrated their 0(2)-0(4) win, which will see them through to the World Cup final against Germany in Rio on 13 July

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