Intro:

Argentine football fans in the capital Buenos Aires awoke on Thursday morning (10 July) knowing that their country had their place in the World Cup final secure.

Script:

As the Argentine people woke on Thursday morning, the streets of Buenos Aires had a distinctly different feel to them for the first time in 24 years.

That's how long it's been since the Albiceleste last made the final of a World Cup.

24 years ago they lost the final of the 1990 tournament to West Germany, four years prior to that they beat West Germany in Mexico City to become World champions for a second time.

Sunday will see Argentina face Germany once again, just this time the Albiceleste will be playing the final in their arch rivals backyard, the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Something that gives their fans great pleasure.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Osvaldo Darcia, Argentina fan:

"All of the Argentine society are in this, it unites us and makes us all look forward to the moment as one. So far everything has been great. And for 4 years we will remind the Brazilians of this, so we can enjoy ourselves and tease them."