Rivaldo scores two, Brazil escapes resilient Denmark side 2-1.

In the 60th minute, Rivaldo netted the final and deciding goal, finding the low right corner from 20 yards, propelling Brazil, the only nation to capture four World Cups, to a semifinal meeting with the winner of Saturday's meeting between the Netherlands and Argentina.

Denmark "played to a very high level, but we played our best game so far," Brazil's Leonardo said. "It was an important step, and we're very motivated by the semifinal match."

Denmark's Martin Joergensen gave Brazil an early signal it was in for a fight by slotting home a cutback pass from Brian Laudrup for a 1-0 lead with 95 seconds elapsed.

Bebeto tied it in the 11th minute, when he ran on to a Ronaldo pass. Rivaldo made it 2-1 in the 26th minute with a shot from an acute angle after another ball from Ronaldo.

Brian Laudrup equalized for the Danes five minutes after intermission when his brother Michael's shot deflected off a defender. The ball caromed to Brian's right foot and he buried his shot into the top corner.

Bo Johansson, praising his club after its World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil, said there was no disgrace on dropping a 3-2 decision to Brazil on Friday.

"We were fantastic. We were almost as good as the best in the world," Denmark coach Bo Johansson said. "It's always a shame to lose. But we played a world-class game. We can be proud of the way we played."

There was a downside to the Brazilian triumph. Right-side defender Cafu received a foolish yellow card for delay of game, standing over a free kick deep in the attacking zone. His second caution of the knockout round earned him a one-game suspension.

"I was waiting for the goalkeeper to come out," Cafu said. "I have never been booked in such a situation. Never mind; we will win the semifinal, and I will play in the final."

Brazil 3, Denmark 2
in Nantes