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.