Defending champ Brazil knocked out by France

France stole Brazil's rhythm, its style, even its samba.

Along the way, the French also knocked the defending champions out of the World Cup.

The experienced and savvy French ousted the pretournament favorites 1-0 in a stunningly one-sided quarterfinal game Saturday in Frankfurt, Germany. Tacked onto France's 3-0 victory in the 1998 title match -- the last time Brazil lost in the World Cup -- it's clear the Brazilians have a nemesis at soccer's highest level.

The French were so much better at playing Brazil's natural, free-flowing game that the result never seemed in doubt after Thierry Henry volleyed in captain Zinedine Zidane's free kick in the 57th minute. The only magical moves on the field were French; the only dancing in the stands was being done by Les Bleus' ecstatic fans.

"This was not a lucky victory," Henry said. "I've always said this World Cup isn't about us dreaming of winning, but I have to say this victory is the stuff of dreams. Now we want to go all the way."

First, they go to the semifinals against Portugal on Wednesday in Munich. With Germany playing Italy in Tuesday's semifinal in Dortmund, this is the first all-European final four since 1982 in Spain.

Much of the credit goes to Zidane, who weaved, bobbed and spun his way through the Brazilian midfield, looking more like the three-time FIFA world player of the year than someone leaving the sport.

It was Zidane who lifted his nation past Brazil in the final eight years ago, scoring two goals for France's only title. Since then, Brazil had won 11 straight World Cup games and another championship -- its fifth -- and this was deemed its best squad in years. Brazil's streak of three straight finals, two of them wins, also was snapped.

"I did not prepare for this and no one in our delegation prepared for this," France coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.

Indeed, it was a shocking exit for the pretournament favorite. The Brazilians had just one shot on goal and allowed huge defensive gaps all night. The French eclipsed Brazil's galaxy of stars with crisp passing, aggressive tackling and superior play in the air. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka were either invisible or inept.

"It's a sad day for us, though we will overcome this," Ronaldo said. "They played better and deserved the victory."

Portugal 0, England 0 (Portugal won shootout)

England gamely hung on after David Beckham got hurt and Wayne Rooney got ejected, but lost to Portugal 3-1 in a shootout Saturday night after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Ricardo, Portugal's goalkeeper, saved three penalty kicks as his nation advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1966 -- when it lost to England. The final kick was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I may not be the Ronaldo you know, who beats three or four players, but I'm fulfilling my role," Cristiano Ronaldo said.

-- The Associated Press