Ronaldinho nets winner

The US came out fighting and never gave up, dominating possession for much of the game and taking many shots on goal.

But the Brazilians exploited their opportunities better, and in the 12th minute, Ronaldinho headed a pass from Serginho into the goal.

The US missed its best chance in in the 72nd minute when Joe-Max Moore kicked a penalty straight into goalkeeper Dida’s hands after Odvan had kicked Cobi Jones from behind.

Each team marked the other’s players closely. The Brazilians speeded up the game whenever they could to tire the Americans, while the Americans often slowed it down. Brazil’s bench is much deeper than that of the USteam.

The rowdy crowd overwhelmingly backed the Brazilians, whistling catcalls during the playing of the US national anthem and chanting “Brazil, Brazil”.

The win, together with Brazil’s 4-0 rout of Germany on Saturday, virtually guaranteed the Brazilians a spot in the semifinals. The other semifinal spot will be fought out between the US and Germany. The US and Germany both beat New Zealand and lost to Brazil. The United States would advance on points — 2-2 to Germany’s 2-4 — in case of a tie.

Michael Preetz and Lothar Matthaeus scored goals as Germany beat New Zealand 2-0. Germany played slowly and methodically, marking the New Zealanders closely across the field. When a New Zealand player got the ball, he often found two or three defenders guarding him — and still had trouble finding an open man.

Germany’s few bursts of offensive were effective. Five minutes into the game, Mehmet Scholl punched a free kick off the right post, and Preetz knocked in the rebound. In the 32nd minute, Matthaeuseasily dribbled around the goalkeeper and tapped in the ball.