Brazil beat Holland on penalties after a game in which the Europeans had the better of the scoring chances. Unfortunately, while Kluivert did his best to earn the Dutch their first appearance in a final since 1978, Bergkamp was missing in action. A moment of weakness at the heart of the Dutch defence led to opening goal, Ronaldo losing his man for just long enough to slip the ball past Van der Saar. Three minutes from time Kluivert equalised and, half an hour later, we were once again faced with a penalty shoot-out. The world champions buried all four of theirs, Taffarel saved from Ronald de Boer and Phillipe Cocu.

France joined them 24 hours later. The bulk of their game with Croatia was a disappointment and once again the host nation's shortcomings up front were all too obvious. The French back four produced their most impressive attacking display so far and Lilian Thuram got the goals that prompted mayhem on the streets of Paris.

Ronaldo's goal against Holland.