The four-time champions Brazil has reached the semifinals for the third consecutive World Cup with a two to one victory over England.

With his team trailing one to zero, Ronaldinho outmaneuvered the defense to set up a goal for Rivaldo in first-half injury time, and then sent in the winner on a 30-meter free kick in the 50th minute.

But in the 57th minute, Ronaldinho was sent off for an illegal tackle on England's Danny Mills, leaving ten men to hold off the England attack. With his red card, he will miss Brazil's semifinal next Wednesday against the winner of Saturday's match between newcomer Senegal and Turkey.

Rivaldo now has scored in all five of Brazil's victories, tying teammate Ronaldo and Germany's Miroslav Klose for the tournament scoring lead.

In another semifinal match, Germany has defeated the United States one to zero on a header by Michael Ballack in the 39th minute.

Until the goal, the Americans had dominated the three-time champions, outshooting them five to one. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn twice made diving stops on Landon Donovan and made a tough save on Eddie Lewis.

Before the goal, Germany twice had open headers but couldn't connect. And four minutes after the Germans took the lead, they nearly got another goal when Miroslav Klose hit the post off a cross from Oliver Neuville.