World Cup Quarter-Final July 9 1994

Brazil v Holland

Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Brazil 3 (Romario 52, Bebeto 62, Branco 81)
Holland 2 (Bergkamp 64, Winter 76)

Brazil: Taffarel, Jorginho, Marcio Santos, Aldair, Branco (Cafu 89), Mazinho (Rai 81), Zinho, Mauro Silva, Dunga, Bebeto, Romario.

Holland: De Goey, Koeman, Valckx, Wouters, Witschge, Rijkaard (R. de Boer 64), Jonk, Winter, Overmars, Bergkamp, Van Vossen (Roy 53).

Referee: Badilla (Czech Republic)
Yellow Cards: Dunga, Wouters, Winter

Brazil faced the first serious test of their mettle and eventually won through after a Dutch comeback had threatened to upset the odds in Dallas.

The Dutch had the first good chance of the match as Bergkamp headed a free-kick from Jonk over the bar in the 24th minute. However it became increasingly clear that the Brazilian front-pairing of Bebeto and Romario were beginning to stretch the Dutch defence.

This would be proved beyond doubt in the opening minutes of the second period as Bebeto's cross in from the left eluded Valckx and Romario stroked it on the half-volley past a stranded De Goey into the far corner of the net.

Ten minutes later Bebeto somehow managed to avoid being given offside and rounded De Goey to gleefully slot the ball into an empty net for 2-0. The striking double-act then indulged in their now famous tribute to Bebeto's newly-born son.

Weaker sides would have buckled, but Bergkamp gave his side fresh impetus just two minutes after Bebeto's goal. A long throw-in fell to the striker positioned near the by-line on the left-side of the penalty area, and Bergkamp clipped a delightful shot wide of Taffarel into the far corner of the net.

With 14 minutes left, Winter levelled the scores with a near-post header from a corner from Overmars.

Brazil were being severely tested, but were saved by one of their longest-serving stars, Branco. The full-back had had one effort saved by De Goey, but with only nine minutes left, he arrowed a perfect left-footed drive from 30 yards out through a crowd of players and into De Goey's bottom left-hand corner.

The Brazilians had had their character questioned and had answered the query in the appropriate manner, Their traditional prowess at dead-ball situations had got them out of a spot, and they were free to go on to a record fourth World Cup triumph. They would not be tested as much as they were in this entertaining quarter-final in any of their following matches.