Dirk Kuyt has claimed that Argentina have under-performed at the World Cup and questioned whether they deserve their place in the final.

Alejandro Sabella's side beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Wednesday to book a meeting with Germany in Sunday's showpiece at the Maracana.

The Albiceleste have not won any game at the tournament by more than a one-goal margin, and Kuyt says that the South Americans are fortunate to be where they are.

"Argentina have not impressed, despite having players the calibre of [Lionel] Messi," he is quoted as saying by Goal.com.

The Oranje were vying for back-to-back World Cup finals, and Kuyt claims that his side paid the ultimate penalty for failing to integrate Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben into their display last night.

"We have expressed a great defensive game, but we did struggle to find [Arjen] Robben and [Robin] Van Persie," the former Liverpool man added. "I'm disappointed, we came so close to reaching a second successive final."

Louis van Gaal's side will now turn their attentions toward Saturday's third-place playoff with Brazil in Brasilia.

Written by
Shane Callaghan