Germany's first goal chance was wasted when the free-kick
on the right of the area was passed short rather than aimed at the heads of Miroslav Klose
and Marco Bode.
While both teams took a while to settle in, Pierluigi
Collina made his mark on the game with two yellow cards in the first ten minutes.
In the 19th minute, Ronaldinho sent Ronaldo through on
Oliver Kahn. The tournament's leading goalscorer clipped the ball with the outside of his
foot.... wide.
Ten minutes later, Ronaldo missed his second chance to beat
Oliver Kahn.
Apart from Ronaldo's two chances, the first 40 minutes of
the 2002 World Cup Final has not really set the world alight.
With half-time drawing nearer, Kléberson received the ball
in plenty of space... and when Christoph Metzelder failed to challenge him, tried his luck
with a low drive that missed the target.
Brazil continued to search for the opening goal but with
Germany holding tight at the back, Kléberson cracked a shot against the bar from just
outside the area.
And just before the whistle, Ronaldo turned on a Roberto
Carlos through ball and blasted his shot against Oliver Kahn's right shin.
Brazil could have been 5-0 up at half-time.... but Germany
are still in the game.
Half-time: Germany 0 -- Brazil 0
Germany had their best chance, straight after the re-start,
when Jens Jeremies stopped to head from a corner. Edmílson cleared the attempt relatively
easy.
In the 49th minute, Oliver Neuville's 30-metre free-kick
slammed against the right post as Germany started to feel a little more confident.
Then at the other end, Oliver Kahn screamed at his defence
to get out and, as Roberto Carlos' curling cross came over, was almost caught out by
Gilberto Silva's header and follow-up.
-- GOAL -- 0-1
Oliver Kahn couldn't hold Rivaldo's low drive and Ronaldo ran on to put
Brazil in front on 67 minutes.
Germany brought on Oliver Bierhoff for Miroslav Klose and
Gerald Asamoah for Jens Jeremies, as Germany needed to be more effective up front.
-- GOAL -- 0-2 Ronaldo made amends for France 98 by scoring his second goal in the 2002
World Cup Final, after Rivaldo dummied Kléberson's cross.
Time ran out for Germany but at least they're sure of a
place in the next World Cup finals -- Germany
2006 -- while Brazil, as holders will have to qualify.
Congratulations to Brazil for
winning the World Cup for a record fifth time.
