Argentina’s players are summoning inspiration from their heroes of the past as they prepare for their country’s most important match for a generation.

Sergio Romero, the Monaco keeper who was the hero of the hour in the penalty shoot-out against the Netherlands in the semi-final, says the team is determined to join those who made history in 1978 and 1986.

It is 24 years since Argentina last made the final, where they were beaten 1-0 by West Germany in tense and dull affair.

The shirts will be the same colours again in the Maracana today: Argentina in navy blue, Germany in white.

For Romero, however, the chance to join the icons of the Diego Maradona-inspired team of 1986, of that which triumphed on home soil eight years before, is driving this generation of players on, even if free-scoring Germany are the favourites.

Romero said: “The most important thing is that our team and our country provide the best image in the eyes of the world, that the world will speak well of Argentina.

“We will remember what the champions of 1978 and 1986 achieved but by we will also try to achieve glory by the fight and heart of this team,” he said in Argentina newspaper Clarin.

“Maybe for many people it is not the dream final, because they wanted us to play Brazil, but it will be a fantastic game.

“They will be very tough opponents, they scored seven goals in the semi-final and they did not have to go to extra-time so they have been able to save some energy for the final.”