Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Unfortunately there is no World Cup football this evening, but there are representatives from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in Europa League action.

Welsh Premier League hopes hang on Airbus UK who travel to Norwegian side FK Haugesund all-square after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Aberystwyth Town trail 4-0 to Derry City while Bangor City host Icelandic side Stjarnan also bidding to overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg.

Scotland's Aberdeen are favourites to progress against Lativan side Daugava Riga following their 5-0 first leg win at Pittodrie.

Crusaders head to Lithuania to face FK Ekranas with a 3-1 first leg advantage, but fellow Northern Ireland side Glenavon face an uphill task in their second leg at home to Hafnarfjordur after losing 3-0 in Iceland.

Image source, AFP

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella admits his players were "sore, beaten and tired" after their gruelling semi-final against Netherlands went the full distance.

"We could do with a couple more days to rest, but what is important is that we made it to the final," Sabella says.

"Let's see how we handle it. It is the result of a 'war' and we will give you the full report as to the casualties."

Image source, Getty Images

Netherlands midfielder Daley Blind reckons his team-mates should feel pride at their achievements at this World Cup following their penalty shootout defeat to Argentina.

He says on Twitter:, external "Even now we are a team. So proud of what we have achieved and the incredible support from the Netherlands! We go fully for the third place!"

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"You have got to favour Germany in the final now.

"There has been extra time and travelling for Argentina, who have played a day later as well.

"For me, it's definitely there for Germany to win."

Image source, Getty Images

John McEnerney:, external Germany to win with their uber-efficient, relentless, technical, tiki taka-esque, total team, almost Brazilian (70,82) style!

Sammy Mexim:, external Germany. Argentina's defenders and midfielders don't look convincing. Germany can tear teams apart with their midfield and attack.

Tikili Gift:, external Germany will beat Argentina. Germany are very good from set-pieces - we have seen in that in there last two games for their first goals.

#bbcworldcup, external on Twitter, 81111 on text and the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, @DAILYTELEGRAPH

The Daily Telegraph, external puts the focus firmly on forward Lionel Messi following Argentina's penalty shootout victory over Netherlands.

Image source, PA

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris commits his future to Tottenham after signing a new five-year contract at White Hart Lane.

Lloris, 27, tells the club website:, external "Everything is clear in my head and if I've signed a new contract it's because I trust the club and I'm sure we will progress in a positive way.

"Last season wasn't the season we all hoped for but we were still able to finish sixth in the league.

"We know where we have to improve, the club also knows and there is a feeling and a confident connection between the club and the players."

Tim Vickery
BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

BBC South American football expert Tim Vickery: "Sergio Romero has been a reserve all season at Monaco, and his selection was one of the controversies of Alejandro Sabella's team.

"Romero is untidy but he has come up big in the big moments in this tournament, especially in this penalty shootout."

Image source, Demichelisok

Argentina defender Martin Demichelis shows the jubilant scenes in the dressing room after his country's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands to reach their first World Cup final in 24 years.

He says on Twitter:, external "El vestuario lleno de alegría.Este grupo lo tiene más que merecido. Gracias a todos los q apoyan desde todos lados" which translates as "The locker room is full of joy. This group has more than deserved it. Thanks to all the support from all sides."

Former England defender Martin Keown
BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

"Tim Krul in the last shootout was in the players' faces. Jasper Cillessen seems like a nice boy and got on with the job. It is a bit of gamesmanship, annoying for the penalty taker and it worked for Krul. I feel if Krul had been in goal, the Netherlands would have gone through."

Image source, AFP

Former Netherlands winger Bolo Zenden says the players who refused to take the first penalty in the World Cup shootout were right to be honest.

"I don't think we had the best group of talent players but I think we can be proud that we got all the way to the semi-finals," he tells BBC Radio 5 live.

"If you don't say that you don't want to take it you, let your team-mates down as well because you do something that you don't feel comfortable doing. I think you should be honest.

"But if you don't take a penalty you can't miss it. The boys that missed took the responsibility."

Image source, AFP

After nearly a month of drama, excitement and goals Germany and Argentina are the last two teams standing at the World Cup.

Germany crushed hosts Brazil 7-1 in their semi-final to reach the final in style. Can Joachim Low's men now become the first European nation to win the trophy on South American soil?

Argentina squeezed past Netherlands on penalties in the last four. Following a relatively unconvincing tournament have Alejandro Sabella's men saved their best for the final in Rio?

Will some Lionel Messi magic inspire Argentina at the Maracana on Sunday, or will Miroslav Klose's poacher's instincts prove to be the difference?

So we want to know: Who will win the World Cup? And more importantly, why?

#bbcworldcup, external on Twitter, 81111 on text and the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, AFP

Argentina's World Cup final date at the Maracana on Sunday may mean the worst is still to come for hosts Brazil.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty writes that Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup in Brazil's own iconic arena would give Argentina a show of sporting strength on enemy territory that would sustain them for generations.

Image source, @PABLO_ZABALETA

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta, who took a nasty blow to the face in their semi-final victory over the Netherlands, has been showing off his war wounds.

Manchester City man Zabaleta says on Twitter:, external "Orgulloso de ser ARGENTINO!!!!" which translates as "proud to be Argentinean".

Image source, Getty Images

Germany centre-back Mats Hummels, 25, says Germany went easy on Brazil during the second half in their World Cup semi-final to avoid causing even more embarrassment. Daily Mirror, external

Hummels's fellow defender Per Mertesacker, 29, says the team who beat Brazil started their journey to the top by thrashing England in the Under-21 European Championships five years ago. Daily Star, external

Political analysts argue that Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff's campaign for re-election will not be damaged by such an embarrassing World Cup defeat. Guardian, external

Visit today's BBC Gossip column to check out all the rest of the latest rumours and speculation.

Image source, AFP

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says two of his players refused to take the first penalty in the shootout defeat by Argentina.

Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar stepped up but Sergio Romero saved his kick.

"I asked two players to take the first ball before ending up with Vlaar," says the Dutchman.

"I thought he was the best player on the pitch so should have confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Sergio Aguero claims Argentina have proved people wrong by reaching the World Cup final.

The Manchester City man scored in the shootout win over Netherlands to help Argentina to their first final for 24 years.

Aguero says: "A lot of people didn't think Argentina would get to the final but we knew what players we had, very good players individually. This means so much."

Image source, AFP

Did you miss any of the action from last night's dramatic penalty shootout between Argentina and Netherlands? Well don't worry because we have everything covered here.

We've got all the highlights of the game here, including the penalties, or if you want to go straight to the drama of the shootout then you can do that as well.

If you don't want to spill your cornflakes on your keyboard or tablet then you can always watch the full Match Of The Day's highlights on BBC Two at 07:15 (BST) where Mark Chapman is joined by pundits Chris Waddle and Mark Lawrenson to discuss all the talking points.

Image source, Getty Images

After 62 matches, featuring 167 goals we finally know the identity of the two World Cup finalists and it will be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals as Germany face Argentina.

Today on World Cup Sportsday we'll bring you all the reaction from last night's semi-final penalty shootout drama which saw Argentina edge past Netherlands on spot-kicks in Sao Paulo.

After that we will start to look forward to Sunday's final in Rio as well as the third v fourth place play-off match involving Brazil and Netherlands in Brasilia.

As usual our team out in Brazil will be across any other breaking stories as they happen.