Brazil beat Germany 2-0 on two Ronaldo goals to claim their fifth World Cup title - on their fourth different continent - as Japan and South Korea became the first Asians hosts and the first co-hosts.
First Time In Asia, First Time Hosted By Two Nations
The 2002 World Cup was the first hosted by the Asian continent as well as the first to be hosted by two nations - South Korea and Japan.
Debutants Senegal Shock World Champs France
The 2002 World Cup started with an absolute shocker in Seoul as first-timers Senegal received a goal by Pape Bouba Diop in a 1-0 victory over the reigning champions France. The French were never able to recover and were bounced from the first round of the tournament without scoring a single goal.
Big Nations Head Home Early
France were not the only super powers to get bounced in the first round. Two-time world champions Argentina finished third in Group F behind Sweden and England; Portugal were eliminated from Group D in favor of Korea and the United States; Cameroon finished third behind Germany and Ireland; while Croatia went home in placing behind Mexico and Italy; and Russia were ousted by Japan and Belgium.
Brazil Breeze Through Group C, Germany, Hosts Top Groups
Brazil won all three Group C first round games with a goal differential of 11-3 while Germany had an 11-1 differential in two victories and a draw in Group E. Co-hosts South Korea (Group D) and Japan (Group H) both also finished first place in their groups.
Brazil Bounce Belgium, Ahn Golden Against Italy, Japan Knocked Out
Rivaldo and Ronaldo both scored in the second half as Brazil beat Belgium 2-0 in the Round of 16. Oliver Neuville hit late to give Germany a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Italy-based Ahn Jung Hwan's golden goal gave South Korea a 2-1 extra time victory over Italy to send Guus Hiddink's co-hosts to the semi-finals. The other co-hosts Japan had their fun run ended by Turkey, who won on Umit Davala's early goal.
The other Round of 16 action saw Senegal beat Sweden 2-1 in extra time; the United States knock off Mexico 2-0; England cruise past Denmark 3-0; and Spain hold off Ireland 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 result after extra time.
Ronaldinho Majestic Before Sending Off; Kahn Saves Germany
In the quarter-finals, Rivaldo scored in first half injury and Ronaldinho sent a long lofter over England keeper David Seaman before getting sent off in Brazil's 2-1 comeback win against England. German keeper Oliver Kahn was superb in making Michael Ballack's first half goal hold up in a 1-0 win over the United States.
Ilhan Mansiz's Golden Goal gave Turkey a 1-0 win over Senegal and South Korea knocked off Spain in penalties 5-3 after a scoreless 120 minutes.
Ronaldo, Ballack Send Brazil, Germany To Final
Two of football's absolute superpowers booked their spot in the final with 1-0 victories. The four-time winners Brazil reached their seventh final thanks to Ronaldo's goal early in the second half in a 1-0 win over Turkey. Ballack scored again to help three-time champions Germany to their seventh final with a 1-0 win over South Korea. Ballack, however, committed a strategic foul and was yellow-carded late in the game, meaning he would be suspended for the final.
Mansiz Bring Third Place To Turkey
Ilhan Mansiz scored twice as Turkey - back in the finals for the first time since 1954 - beat South Korea 3-2 to take third place.
Brazil Glorious After Ronaldo Double
German keeper Oliver Kahn came into the final having reached legendary status for his amazing goalkeeping. But his error gave Ronaldo his first goal of the game after 67 minutes. And Ronaldo decided the contest with his second score 12 minutes later for a 2-0 victory. Ronaldo's eight goals gave him the Golden Shoe award and was the highest total since Gerd Mueller's 10 goals at Mexico 1970.
Fifth Title For Brazil
Luiz Felipe Scolari guided Brazil to their fifth World Cup crown, giving them a two-title lead over the three crowns by Italy and Germany. And Brazil have won the World Cup on every continent to host the event.
