Javier Mascherano reveals 'stretched anus' injury

Javier Mascherano has revealed the embarrassing cost of helping Argentina reach the final of the World Cup.

The Barcelona midfielder has admitted to 'stretching his anus' when making a crucial last-ditch intervention to prevent Netherlands winger Arjen Robben scoring a stoppage-time winner in Wednesday's semi-final.

Argentina would go on to book a date with Germany at the Maracana on Sunday following a 4-2 penalty-shootout win, but the price of victory was a 'terribly painful' injury for Mascherano.

"I stretched my anus on that move," he told reporters. "The pain, it was terrible.

"I thought I wouldn't make it. I thought he'd get ahead of me, I thought of so many things, but I did get there.

"I threw myself into it. I could have been sent off. It could have been a penalty. But anyone could have done that, I had the luck to get there."

Mascherano has made over 100 international appearances for Argentina and is their current vice captain.