Louis van Gaal "taught" Sergio Romero how to save penalties

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that he "taught" Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero how to save penalties during their time together at AZ Alkmaar.

Romero denied Van Gaal's team a place in the World Cup final after saving two penalties - from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder - in the Albiceleste's shootout win over the Dutch on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old spent two years working with the shot-stopper after signing him from Argentine outfit Racing Club in 2007, and the coach admits that the irony "hurts" him.

"I taught Romero how to stop penalties [at Alkmaar], so that hurts," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"We were the club to bring him to Europe. He was a big talent, and someone who has the qualities to do that."

The Oranje will face Brazil in Saturday's third-place playoff in Brasilia.