If I had had the opportunity to substitute Cillessen I would have – but I had used my three subs.
Van Gaal chose not to use that tactic this time and said: "If I had had the opportunity to substitute Cillessen I would have – but I had used my three subs.
"I feel disappointment, it is the most terrible scenario to lose on penalties. We were equal in the match if not better. We took those penalties in an incredible way against Costa Rica, but the issue is you score the first one and I asked two players to take the first ball before ending up with Vlaar.
"I thought he was the best player on the pitch so should have a lot of confidence. It just goes to show it's not easy scoring in a penalty shoot–out."
Van Gaal had managed Romero when in charge of Dutch side Alkmaar, but said: "I didn't teach him to stop penalties but we were the club who brought him to Europe because he was a big talent. Alkmaar was his first club in Europe and I was his trainer there."
Sergio Aguero scored Argentina's third penalty and said: "It means so many things. A lot of people didn't think Argentina would be in the final, but we know what a good team we have."
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