Brazil are still on course for a dream World Cup triumph on home soil after defeating Colombia in the quarter final.
Captain Thiago Silva put the host nation ahead in the seventh minute, nudging home a Neymar corner at the back post.
There were no more goals in a pulsating first half in Fortaleza but Chelsea defender David Luiz, who will join Paris Saint Germain after the tournament, doubled the advantage with a sumptuous 25-yard free-kick midway through the second half.
Colombian star James Rodriguez pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 80th minute to take his tournament tally to six, but his team-mates were unable to complete what would have been a memorable comeback.
Brazil will take on Germany in the last four after Joachim Low’s men deservedly edged past France courtesy of Mats Hummels’ first-half header.
The Germans are the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals, their tenth in the last 13 tournaments.
Holland take on Costa Rica and Argentina face Belgium in the last two quarter final ties on Saturday.
