YOKOHAMA, Japan, 22 June — Brazil and Germany, consistent performers in the World Cup’s 72-year history, restored order to a tournament full of surprises when they reached the semifinals yesterday.

Four-time champions Brazil took a huge stride toward the final on June 30 when they beat England 2-1 in their quarterfinal in Shizuoka, shattering breakfast-time football fever in the birthplace of the game.

Germany, who have won the title on three occasions, reached the last four for the first time for 12 years with a stubborn display in a 1-0 defeat of the United States, sealed through Michael Ballack’s first-half goal and superb goalkeeping by Oliver Kahn.

Brazil, champions in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994, will take on the winners of today’s quarterfinal between African debutants Senegal and Turkey in their semifinal in Saitama on Wednesday.

Germany, who last reached the semifinals when they won the Cup in 1990 with manager Rudi Voeller in the side, take on the winners of today’s clash between Spain and co-hosts South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. The Germans, who also won the tournament in 1954 and 1974, have never played Brazil in the World Cup.

Forward Ronaldinho made one goal and scored an outrageous second before being controversially sent off as Brazil came from behind against England in the first quarterfinal.

The result established Brazil as firm favorites to win the final in the Japanese city of Yokohama, and history is on their side.

On the three previous occasions they have played England — drawing once and winning twice in 1958, 1962 and 1970 — the Brazilians have gone on to win the trophy.

“Never have I seen a group of players defending the national colors with such a fighting spirit,” coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

Goalkeeper David Seaman, the oldest man in the England squad at 38, was in tears at the end after Ronaldinho scored the winner with a fantastic free kick from 35 meters in the 50th minute.

Seaman, off his line and backtracking, could do nothing to prevent the ball sailing into the top left hand corner. He had to be consoled by captain David Beckham, who also had an off-day.

His disappointment was shared in England where millions of people changed their early-morning routines to watch the game on television, dreaming of a first World Cup triumph since 1966.

England struck the first blow, Michael Owen pouncing on a mistake by Lucio in the 23rd minute to score before Rivaldo equalized in first-half injury time following Ronaldinho’s brilliant run.

“We should have done better with 11 against 10 men,” England’s Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said.

The Germans, rebuilding a young team as they prepare to host the next finals in 2006, were pushed all the way by a US side that had taken the scalps of Portugal and Mexico on their way to the last eight.

Ballack, who is rapidly making a name for himself after helping Bayer Leverkusen reach last season’s Champions League final, rose to glance home a Christian Ziege free kick six minutes before the interval.

But US ’keeper Brad Friedel paid tribute to Kahn and summed up the reason for Germany’s consistency over the years perfectly.

“We had our chances but the man of the match was their ’keeper. He played fantastic,” said Friedel.

“We’re a bit disappointed because we felt we should have won but that is why they’re so good. They can play games like this — when maybe they’re not the best team — and still win.”

Seaman is no scapegoat,

captain Beckham says

England captain David Beckham said that goalkeeper David Seaman was not at fault for his team’s 2-1 defeat although the veteran has been caught for similar blunders in the past.

“I don’t think we should make a scapegoat of David Seaman. If we did it would be a disgrace. He had been the best goalkeeper in the tournament,” Beckham said after England were bounced from the World Cup despite playing the final 33 minutes in Shizouka with a man advantage.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England side took the lead through Michael Owen in the 23rd minute, but allowed Brazil to pull even two minutes into first-half injury time from a Rivaldo shot which left Seaman without a chance.

And then five minutes after the break, the Arsenal keeper misjudged a Ronaldinho free kick from 35 meters out as the ball went in just under the bar.

“It was not (his) fault for the goal. It was a fluke goal. It was meant to be a cross,” Beckham added.

But Ronaldinho insisted that he had struck intentionally into the far left corner.

“Cafu had pointed out to me that Seaman plays further off his line and there often is some space between him and goal. I took his advice and was looking out for that space to surprise him and to score,” said Ronaldinho.

After all, it is not the first goal of that kind against Seaman. Arsenal famously lost the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup final 2-1 against Spanish club Zaragoza when Seaman was ambushed from 50 meters out while standing on the edge of the penalty area.

A few days ago he was almost beaten in the same way as yesterday during the Round of 16 game with Denmark, but managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Seaman, who rarely speaks to reporters, took time out to apologize to his teammates and England fans.

“That’s life for a goalkeeper. I just want to say sorry to the rest of the side and the people back home. It was a fluke, just one of those things.

“But I do blame myself. I’m sure he (Ronaldinho) went to cross but I misread it and it went to goal.

“I just want to say sorry to the fans who were fantastic. And so with the players who were fantastic as well and told me to forget it because I kept them in the tournament,” Seaman said before breaking into tears in front of reporters.

Seaman, who at 38 is the oldest starter at the World Cup, had allowed just one goal in England’s first four games. He will likely retire from the national team in the near future.

West Ham United goalkeeper David James, who is seen as Seaman’s eventual English replacement, said: “He (Seaman) is experienced enough to get over it. We’ve had a great tournament and it’s just one goal.”

Seaman did not go without criticism from outside the team.

Brazil legend Pele had already said before the match that he was not as good as famous compatriot Gordon Banks. German football legend Franz Beckenbauer agreed.

The second goal he should have stopped with a wave of a cap. “Those are mistakes that not even a school goalkeeper would be forgiven, and he is 38,” he told the local Premiere network.