HANGZHOU, China - Brazil made light work of two-time world champions United States on Thursday as they booked their place in the final of the 2007 World Cup with a crushing victory.
The game was as good as over for Greg Ryan's side at half-time after a nightmare opening 45 minutes during which the United States scored an own goal, conceded another and had Shannon Boxx dismissed.
Brazil dominated after the break, adding further goals through Cristiane and Marta, and will now face defending champions Germany in Shanghai on Sunday as they look to capture a first world title.
The United States, meanwhile, will have to pick themselves up for the third-placed play-off against Norway earlier the same day.
It was the first goals conceded by the United States since their opening group game against North Korea, and prior to the match Ryan took the surprise decision to relegate goalkeeper Hope Solo to the bench in favour of Briana Scurry.
The game got off to a lively start as Lori Chalupny saw her close-range effort saved by Andreia in the fourth minute while Brazil almost capitalised on a mistake from Scurry minutes later.
But the South Americans' were gifted the lead in the 20th minute when a corner was headed into her own net by Leslie Osborne.
And they struck a fine second just seven minutes later when Marta cut inside in the box before unleashing a powerful low drive beyond the grasp of Scurry.
Chalupny sent a dipping shot wide from the edge of the box in the 34th minute as the US looked to pull a goal back before the break.
But on the stroke of half-time the US were a dealt a further blow when Boxx was harshly sent off for a foul on Cristiane.
Brazil continued to attack straight from the restart and Daniela should have done better when she sent a shot wide before Maycon sprinted into the box only to send her shot wide.
But Brazil's pace in attack quickly brought them a third goal that all but extinguished the United States' hopes of a fightback.
In the 56th minute Formiga surged down the wing before spotting Cristiane unmarked in the box and the Wolfsburg striker had time to pick her spot beyond Scurry.
Kristine Lilly's point-blank effort was well caught by Andreia soon after while Scurry did likewise at the other end as Marta created an opening for Cristiane.
But a fourth goal duly arrived in the 79th minute when the superb Marta cleverly set herself up by deftly flicking the ball beyond her marker, beating a second defender and drilling a firm shot under Scurry.
And only the post denied Cristiane grabbing a fifth for rampant Brazil at the death.
