Former Argentine footballer and national team coach Diego Maradona believes Argentina has regained its football prestige, following its recent showing at the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Speaking Wednesday on his nightly TV sports show "De Zurda" ( Left handed), Maradona based his assessment on the team's semifinal victory over Holland earlier in the day, won 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

"The Argentine jersey had lost a little prestige, today it regained it once more," said Maradona, whose show is broadcast by Venezuela-based network Telesur.

Argentina "didn't play well, but it didn't let Holland play well either, because Holland knows how to play well," said Maradona.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella's strategy was "really good," and it reclaimed the great work done by midfielder Javier Mascherano, said the legendary footballer.

"When I said 'Mascherano and 10 others', some laughed, but today they're not laughing," said Maradona, who, as part of the national lineup, won the 1986 Mexico World Cup and came in second at the 1990 Italy games.

Asked about team member Lionel Messi, Maradona said the Barcelona forward served as "the pitbull" of the team, but also praised defender Ezequiel Garay's "magnificent" work and goalkeeper Sergio Romero for blocking two of Holland's penalty shots.

Maradona, 53, added Argentina's lineup was "working well as a team" and played against Holland "with a lot of authority."