SAO PAULO: Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella reflected on his side’s chances in the final after their penalty shootout win over the Netherlands at the Arena Corinthians here on Wednesday.

Sabella said it had been a very difficult and tight game after goalkeeper Sergio Romero’s two saves in the shootout helped Argentina win the shootout 4-2 after a goalless draw at the end of extra-time.

Know more: Argentina beats Netherlands

“I’m very happy because we reached the final and now we will see what we can do,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“We will give everything as usual, with humility, work and 100 percent effort.”

Sabella said that his players had come out of a ‘war’ in their semi-final duel against the Dutch.

He voiced concern that Germany’s extra day of rest will give the European side advantage in the final after their 7-1 win over Brazil on July 8.

“We could do with a couple of more days to rest, but what is important is that we made it to the final,” Sabella said. “Let’s see how we handle it.

“Some of players are sore, beaten, tired. It is the result of a ‘war’ and we will give you the full report as to the casualties tomorrow.”

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said it was a dream for the side to play the World Cup final.

“If anything, this group deserved this,” Mascherano, who was singled out for praise by Sabella for his performance against Argentine, said.

“We played a brilliant game, we had no fear of anything and we know on Sunday it will be the game of our lives.

“It’s where we deserve to be. We hope to end Sunday with the title but beyond that, I’m proud of this team.

“It’s a dream for all of us, to have this opportunity to give back to Argentina. I’m very happy with my team-mates. They’re all phenomenal.”

Maxi Rodriguez, who scored the winning penalty, added: “We know the pain we have been through, and we deserved some kind of happiness.

“Now we have to play the final but that is what we have dreamed of ever since we left Buenos Aires. We must make the most of it and let’s hope that the last 90 minutes are on our side.”

Argentina and Germany square off for a record third time in a World Cup final following their meetings in 1986 and 1990. Argentina prevailed in the first one with Germany winning the second.

And striker Sergio Aguero believes Argentina have proved many people wrong by reaching the final.

“A lot of people didn’t think Argentina would get to the final but we knew what players we had, very good players individually,” he said. “This means so much.”

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2014