GELSENKIRCHEN, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Lucky Portugal struggled into the 2006 World Cup top four after ousting England 3-1 on penalty shootout, while France stunned the world after eliminating Brazil on Saturday.

    Cristiano Ronaldo sealed Portugal's semifinal berth by striking into the right corner in the penalty shootout, after the English lost David Beckham to a leg injury and Wayne Rooney to a red card.

    An amazing night witnessed a total of five penalty shots missed. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher missed to end England's hopes and Sven-Goran Eriksson' s reign, while Petit and Hugo Viana put Portugal in danger after missing the target.

    Rooney wrestled for the ball with Ricardo Carvalho on the halfway line and stamped on the defender's crotch in the 62rd minute.

    Argentina referee Horacio Elizondo sent the Manchester United striker off.

    England dominated the first 20 minutes as Frank Lampard almost broke the tie in the 12th minute.

    Rooney played a tight pass to Lampard in the area and the Chelsea man pulled back from the right to find the ball denied by Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo.

    Portugal got the chance six minutes later when Luis Figo's free-kick turned England's defence into a mess.

    Eriksson was forced to change things six minutes into the second half with David Beckham struggling with an ankle problem.

    Beckham almost won a penalty with his last contribution of the game, and probably his chances of winning a World Cup when his cross hit the hand of Nuno Valente but England's appeal came to nothing.

    He was replaced by Aaron Lennon and was seen on the sidelines looking anguished as treatment was performed on his ankle.

    England's best chance to score a goal was a set-piece and Lampard fired in a free-kick that Ricardo did well to keep out, with Lennon scuffing his attempt to put in the rebound.

    Portugal almost sealed a win in the second half of extra-time when Postiga headed home, but the goal was denied by referee Horacio Elizondo who saw the off-side clearly.

    In Frankfurt, former World Cup champions France stunned the world after eliminating five-time title winners Brazil with a 1-0 victory in their quarter-final encounter.

    Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scored the decisive goal of Saturday's game, volleying in Zinedine Zidane's floated free-kick in the 57th minute while lingering unmarked at the back post.

    The last eight matchup between France and Brazil has been dubbed as a 1998 World Cup final rematch since the French side won a historic 3-0 against Brazil in Paris for their first ever world trophy. Enditem