A superb second-half comeback gave Holland a surprise 2-1 victory over 10-man Brazil on Friday and a place in the World Cup semi finals for the first time since 1998. Midfielder Felipe Melo set up Robinho for Brazil's early opener but his own goal gifted Holland the equalizer eight minutes after the restart. Wesley Sneijder headed home on 68 minutes to put the Dutch in front and Melo completed his miserable night by picking up a straight red card five minutes later for stamping on winger Arjen Robben. Holland kept their composure in the frantic and nervous part of the game to emerge winners and atone for their semi-final defeat by Brazil 12 years ago in France. They will face either Ghana or Uruguay, who meet later in the day, in the next round. Ruthless Attack Brazil ruthlessly attacked Holland from everywhere in the first half, with attacking trio Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano causing opposing defense all sorts of problems. They had an eighth-minute goal correctly disallowed for offside but the Selecao made amends two minutes later to grab a deserved lead. Melo's through pass split the defense and found Robinho, who ghosted behind John Heitinga and calmly sent a low right-footed shot past Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Holland failed to deal with the swift moves of Brazil, who could have doubled their advantage on two occasions before the break.
Brazil crash out Central defender Juan skied his shot well over from inside the area after meeting a low cross from Dani Alves in the 25th minute. Six minutes later, Kaka almost rounded off a free-flowing move that drew enthusiastic response from the crowd. Robinho overcame two challengers on the left and fed Fabiano, who laid the ball off to Kaka with a superb back-heeled pass to curl a right-footed shot that was tipped away by Stekelenburg. Unlikely Comeback It looked a one-way traffic and Brazil seemed close to putting the result beyond doubt but Holland's never-say-die attitude saw them dismantle the Samba Boys after the interval. A rare defensive lapse helped Holland, who fired on all cylinders in the second half, level the score in the 53rd minute when Sneijder's cross-shot was headed by Melo into his own net. Another mistake at the back allowed Holland to complete a comeback that looked very unlikely few minutes earlier. Dirk Kuyt flicked on Robben's corner and the unmarked Sneijder headed home to send the Dutch fans into ecstasy. Brazil poured forward to avoid their second successive quarter-final exit but could not break down Holland's defense. Their cause was not helped by the dismissal of Melo, whose stamp on Robben prompted the referee to instantly send him off. Brazil also left huge gaps at the back but Holland chose to waste time instead of scoring a third goal.
