France coach Raymond Domenech was in an ebullient mood after watching his side reach the semi-finals of the World Cup with a deserved 1-0 victory against five-times champions Brazil.

Thierry Henry's second-half goal proved to be the winner as France set up a semi-final clash with Portugal on Wednesday.

"It was extraordinary," Domenech said. "Sometimes they aren't any words to describe what you're experiencing. I tackled with them, I shot with them. The old men are still around.

"Portugal won't be easy but, for the moment, let me enjoy this. There's only football to offer you great moments like this."

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said: "I would like to thank the players. I didn't do my job because my job here was to get to the final.

"In Brazil when the national team loses the coach is to blame so I believe we will follow this script once again.

"We never prepared for this moment. This is a very difficult moment for all of us.

"There should have been at least one South American team in the semi-finals, it's a shame for world football."