Brazil, on course for a fifth title, will play either France or Croatia in Sunday's final.

Brazil's Ronaldo opened the scoring just 24 seconds into the second half of normal time but a headed goal by Patrick Kluivert took the game into extra-time and then penalties.

Taffarel, who saved one penalty when Brazil won the 1994 title after a shoot-out against Italy, saved from Phillip Cocu and Ronald de Boer as Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Emerson and Dunga all scored emphatically for the South Americans.

Frank de Boer and Dennis Bergkamp had scored for the Dutch but Cocu, possibly distracted by being ordered to place the ball properly on the spot, put his kick at saveable height to the 'keeper's left.

Ronald de Boer, needing to score to keep the Dutch in the tournament, checked on his approach but could not fool Taffarelwho went full length to his right to push it to safety.

The hero of the night Taffarel said: ``Brazil deserved this moment of joy.'' Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo wept openly after the tense finale. ``We had two or three moments when we could have decided the game, but destiny decided it finished 1-1. I think the extra time was all heart and determination.''

Brazil have been installed as 4-11 favourites to win the title ---- they have been in five finals and won four. They now meet the winners of the France-Croatia semi-final to be played tonight in the Stade de France.

The match, hailed as the final before the final between two of the tournament's great attacking sides, only came alive in the second half of normal time but produced a stirring finale.

Ronaldo gave Brazil the lead while many spectators were still taking their seats after half-time.

The `World player of the Year' seized on a through ball from Rivaldo and showed great strength and balance to hold off the challenge of Cocu and slot theball under Edwin Van der Sar for his fourth goal of the tournament.

But with only three minutes of normal time remaining, Kluivert finally hit the target, heading home a Ronald de Boer cross unchallenged in the heart of the Brazilian penalty area.

The Dutch, who had scrambled last-minute wins against Argentina in the quarter-finals and Yugoslavia in the second round, fully deserved their equaliser after pouring forward in the last 15 minutes.

The best chance of the disappointing first half came when Boudewijn Zenden beat debutant Ze Carlos in the 29th minute and clipped in a great cross that Kluivert headed over. Kluivert again headed too high in the dying seconds of the half.

After the Brazilian goal, the Dutch took a while to regroup and found the champions to be much keener for the fight than they had been in the first half. But the Brazilian defence was never happy in the air and it was after the lanky Pierre Van Hooijdonk came on as substitute that Kluivert scored.

Kluivert almost scored hissecond -- and the vital golden goal -- in the 103rd minute when his left foot shot shaved the far post after he latched on to a clearance.

Frank de Boer, who was outstanding all night, saved the Dutch with a last minute tackle early in the second period of extra-time which stopped Ronaldo getting in a shot as he advanced towards Van der Sar in the area.

But the desperate defending ultimately counted for nothing as the Dutch, aiming for their first final since 1978 when the lost to Argentina, were foiled by Taffarel. ``The dream is over,'' said Dutchman Ronald de Boer.

Lineups

Brazil: Taffarel, Ze Carlos, Junior Baiano, Aldair, Roberto Carlos, Dunga, Cesar Sampaio, Leonardo (Emerson, 85th minute), Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Bebeto (Denilson, 70th).

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar, Michael Reiziger (Aron Winter, 57th), Jaap Stam, Frank de Boer, Wim Jonk (Clarence Seedorf, 111th) Ronald de Boer, Phillip Cocu, Edgar Davids, Boudewijn Zenden (Pierre van Hooijdonk, 75th), Dennis Bergkamp,Patrick Kluivert.

Referee: Ali Mohamed Bujsaim (UAE).