The Dutch, who looked in danger of being overrun in the first half in Port Elizabeth, fought back in the second to win 2-1 over a Brazil reduced to 10 men by the end. [break]
In the semi-finals, the Netherlands will play the winner of the later quarter-final when Ghana will carry the hopes of Africa against Uruguay.
Brazil, five-times former champions and one of the hot favorites to triumph again, had looked rampant in the first half, after Robinho scored in only the 10th minute.
But the Dutch regrouped in the second half and became increasingly dominant.
They equalized through a Felipe Melo own goal from a Wesley Sneijder free kick in the 53rd minute, following total confusion in the Brazilian defense.
Once the Dutch had leveled, Brazil seemed to fall apart and lost all their cool and organization and Sneijder headed in the winner in the 68th minute.
Brazil´s chances seemed to evaporate after Melo was sent off soon afterwards for stamping on winger Arjen Robben, a constant thorn in their side who had been repeatedly targeted.
"In the changing-room at half-time, everyone said to each other ´Let´s give everything´ and that´s what we did. We fought for each other," Sneijder said after the match.
"It´s not the end of the world," Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar said with a tear rolling down his face. "In Brazil people always put a lot of pressure on us. This was a result no one expected. Every game Brazil enters, we enter to win."
The victory for the Netherlands, who have never won the trophy despite their long-admired style, caused joy at home, where a survey said 40 percent of workers were taking all or part of the day off to watch the game.
The result also reversed a tide of Latin American dominance after Italy, France and England all went out early and five of six African teams were defeated.
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