Total Recall/ Semi-final 8211; I

90 minutes in a nutshell:

In a match that many observers thought should have been the final, Brazil made the early running helped by some slack Dutch defending and the consummate skill of Ronaldo8217;s goal in the 46th minute. The Orange mob soon got their act together, however, and Jaap Stam began to live up to his reputation alongside a rock-solid Frank de Boer at the back. After a succession of chances that flew over the bar, Patrick Kluivert finally headed Holland level in the 87th minute. In the end, it probably finished as an anti-climactic final may well have done, with the nerve-wracking climax of a penalty shoot out. And you would never bet against the Brazilians in front of goal.

Boy done good:

Frank de Boer, whose numerous crucial tackles helped thwart an at times rampant Brazilian attack, particularly in extra timewhen Ronaldo was racing away on the break at every opportunity.

Two left feet: Ronald de Boer, for fluffing a chance to open the scoring. After Phillip Cocu put Boudewijn Zenden away on the left, de Boer could only fall backwards away from the ball and toe-poke directly at Taffarel.

Magic moment:

Lots of them every time there was a dive, the respective prone players were left to look stupid by a referee who waved on play, determined to let the game flow.

Mr Sitter:

Although Kluivert scored Holland8217;s equaliser, he missed a whole series of chances before that. Frank de Boer takes the honours however, despite his sound display in defence. When a 53rd-minute corner landed at his feet after a knock-on, he fluffed a glorious chance to get an early equaliser.

Shiver the timbers:

Amazingly, given the chances and Kluivert8217;s many brushes with glory, nothing hit hard white stuff.

Cheered:

The appearance of Denilson in the 70th minute. No wonder; he went on to terrorisethe Dutch back-line during the 50 minutes he was on the pitch.

Jeered:

Any Dutch player who caused a Brazilian to dive. The referee8217;s decision not to award a penalty when Pierre van Hooijdonk was brought down in the dying moments of normal time Hooijdonk was instead booked for making a meal of it.

Turning point:

Brazil8217;s goal. Not because they took control of the game thereafter, but because they let the Dutch back in and committed themselves to a 120-minute struggle and countless stomach ulcers.

Ref-er-ee! The man from the UAE did a good job of letting the game flow, bar the customary few inconsistencies.

Terrace talk:

Brazil: quot;First the orange men, now a choice between jammy hosts or a walking chess set. We8217;re the best footballers in the world, by Pele!quot; Holland: quot;As if we were ever going to win it.quot;