Portugal and France each took one step closer to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final in Germany with wins against England and Brazil, respectively, in the quarterfinal round Saturday.
Portugal advanced by beating England 3-1 on penalties in Gelsenkirchen, while the French defeated Brazil 1-0 in Frankfurt in a rematch of the 1998 World Cup Final.
The World Cup semifinals will be a European final four. Italy faces Germany at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN) on Tuesday in Dortmund, while Portugal takes on France the following day at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN) in Munich. The World Cup Final will be played July 9 at 2 p.m. ET (ABC) in Berlin.
In Saturday's first game, Portugal and England played a scoreless match through 120 minutes. England lost two of its top players early in the second half as captain David Beckham had to be substituted out of the match in the 52nd minute due to injury and petulant striker Wayne Rooney was served a red card in the 62nd minute for kicking Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho while he lay on the turf and pushing Cristiano Ronaldo.
While midfielder Aaron Lennon, who replaced Beckham, and striker Peter Crouch, who came in for midfielder Joe Cole in the 65th minute, helped a 10-man English side create opportunies, neither were able to break through against the Portuguese defense.
Following 30 minutes of extra time, the two clubs went to penalties. Just as goalkeeper Jens Lehmann stood tall for Germany on Friday in penalties against Argentina, Portugal's Ricardo proved he too was up to the task.
After Simao Sabrosa converted Portugal's first opportunity, Ricardo stopped Frank Lampard's chance. England had an opportunity to go ahead after Owen Hargreaves tied it 1-1 and Hugo Viana and Petit missed in succession for Portugal, but Ricardo saved the shot by Steven Gerrard.
Helder Postiga then put Portugal ahead, setting up the turning point in the shootout. England's Jamie Carragher, who was inserted in the final minute of extra time, stepped to the spot and fired into the right side of the goal to seemingly tie the match. But referee Horacio Elizondo had not blown his whistle to signal for Carragher to take the kick and the penalty had to be taken again. This time, Carragher went to his left and Ricardo guessed correctly, saving the shot.
Ronaldo beat English 'keeper Paul Robinson on the next attempt, sending Portugal into the semis. The defeat via shootout was the third out of its last four tries that England had fallen in such a manner.
In the day's second match, France equaled its feat of eight years ago, beating South American giants Brazil. Veteran midfielder Zinedine Zidane, playing in his last international tournament, looked magical against the Brazilians and set up the winning goal by Thierry Henry.
The two clubs played a scoreless first half with each side having an equal numbers of chances. Following halftime, France carried the play, finally breaking through in the 57th minute.
Zidane lofted a free kick from outside of the box across the middle to an on-rushing Henry at the back post. The unmarked French striker scored his third goal of the World Cup by volleying the cross past Brazil's defenseless goalkeeper, Dida, for the match's lone tally.
Patrick Mulrenin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
