Brazil's first attack came when Lúcio was released down
the right by Kléberson, in the second minute.
Marcos had to punch an Emre free-kick away in the 10th
minute, which brought a chorus of "Turk-iy-e" from the Turkish fans.
Marcos then had to react well to push away an Alpay header,
for a corner, in the 20th minute.... as Turkey showed they were prepared to take the game
to Brazil.
The four-times World Champions felt they had to attack
more. Rivaldo threaded the ball through to Ronaldo, who passed to Cafu on the right of the
Turkish area.... but Rustu kept out the shot with his foot and it sailed over the bar.
Then Roberto Carlos, on the left, missed a chance with his
right foot... and shortly after Ronaldo was on hand, in the six-yard box, to try and poke
in a rebound -- after Rustu failed to hold a fierce drive from outside the area.
The game had started to liven up..... and with all the
attacking Brazil were doing, Hasan Sas found plenty of space to run down the left on a
counter attack, just before the half-hour.
Within minutes, Rivaldo had a couple more chances to take
the lead in the Golden Boot
charts..... but Miroslav Klose could breathe a sigh of relief.
Then five minutes before half-time, Gilberto's foul on the
edge of the Brazilian area gave Turkey a perfect chance to take the lead....... if Emre
Belozoglu hadn't fired over the wall..... and the Brazilian bar.
Turkey had a little scare just before the break when Rustu
caught a knock on the head, as he tried to bravely pounce on the loose ball for a second
time.
-- GOAL -- 1-0 Ronaldo scored his 6th goal in this tournament, on an excellent Brazilian
counter.... after Hasan Sas' cross was chested back to Marcos by Roberto Carlos..... and
Brazil steamed down the left. Ronaldo picked up the ball on the edge of the Turkish area,
beat Fatih Akyel and shot through low; through two other players -- 49 mins.
Turkey needed to push forward more and brought on Ilhan Mansiz
for Emre Belozoglu, with a little under half an hour to go.
Twenty minutes before the end, Rustu had to come right out
of his are to deny Luizao -- fresh on for Ronaldo.
Luizao had another chance to double the score a minute
later.... if only he hadn't tried to be spectacular with his sidekick.... that bounced
over the bar.
After scoring the Golden Goal against Senegal, super sub
Ilhan Mansiz nearly equalised for Turkey; with twelve minutes to go.
Hakan Sukur almost equalised, with ten minutes to go, as
Turkey continued to spring a surprise or two -- in and around the Brazilian area.
Turkey started to lose thei cool again.... Hasan Sas in
particular earning a needless booking just before the end of the game.
Brazil meet Gemany.... for the first time in a World Cup Final.
