Brazil 3 Netherlands 2
A thriller of a quarter-final encounter. Brazil had failed to impress in the group stages, or in beating the United States in the second round, but they looked the real deal as they roared into a two-goal lead as both Romario and Bebeto struck early in the second half. But the Dutch fought back through Dennis Bergkamp and Aaron Winter to level. Enter Branco. The left-back won a fortuitous free kick 30 yards out for his side, picked himself up and blasted home the subsequent set-piece to give the Brazilians the victory.
Romania 3 Argentina 2
Diego Maradona had gone home by the second round after failing a drugs test, but this was still a strong Argentina side featuring Gabriel Batistuta and Ariel Ortega. But they met their match in a Romania side inspired by the midfield work of Gheorghe Hagi. Two goals from Ilie Dumitrescu, sandwiched by a Batistuta penalty, left Romania 2-1 up at the break. Hagi made it 3-1 before Abel Balbo pulled one back for the Argentines to end the scoring with 15 minutes to go.
Bulgaria 2 Germany 1
The last time a German side had not made at least the semi-finals was in 1978 and the holders – they had won in 1990 as West Germany – had looked good to keep that run going after captain Lothar Matthaus scored a penalty early in the second half to give them the lead. But the Bulgarians hit back. First Hristo Stoitchkov, above, equalised 15 minutes from time then Yordan Letchkov headed home the winner three minutes later to send the Germans home.
