The final word: best and worst of World Cup 2002 | Football | The Guardian The final word: best and worst of World Cup 2002 Sunday 30 June 2002 06.03 EDT First published on Sunday 30 June 2002 06.03 EDT Favourite - and least favourite - player Paul Wilson Favourite player: Damien Duff and Nicky Butt. Who said the Premiership was overrated? Least favourite player: Rivaldo. Some so-called superstars are grossly overrated. Could almost forgive this one his selfishness, wastefulness and complete lack of awareness of the rest of his team were he not also a blatant cheat and serial simulator. Amy Lawrence Favourite player: I'm rather hoping that Ronaldo will tip the balance today... Otherwise Hong Myung Bo. It's been a tournament where teams rather individuals have prospered, and the South Korean captain was a symbol of the most touching team effort of all. Least favourite player: Roy Keane, closely followed by Zlatko Zahovic. The World Cup should be something to treasure not whinge about. Killjoys, the pair of them.

Guillem Balague Favourite player: Raul. With him on the pitch, Spain would have beaten South Korea and he could have proven himself the best player in the tournament. Least favourite player: Totti. They said this was going to be his World Cup... John Carlin Favourite player: Nicky Butt (against Argentina). Least favourite player: Roy Keane. Ian Ridley Favourite player: Ronaldinho. Took risks in all the right areas. Least favourite player: Gabriel Batistuta. What a graceless loser. Kevin Mitchell Favourite player: Isaac Okoronkwo (Nigerian central defender). Simon Kuper Favourite player: Oliver Kahn - the best keeper I can ever remember seeing. James Kopnall Least favourite player: Frank Leboeuf. He outstayed his welcome. Dirtiest player Paul Wilson: Not a player, but Luciano Gaucci, president of Perugia, has to win this title after sacking Ahn Jung Hwan for scoring the winning goal against Italy. Obviously some high-class whingeing was to be expected after the manner of the Azzurri's exit, but Gaucci's action portrayed Italy and the Europeans in general in a very poor light.

Ian Ridley: Alessandro Nesta. Somebody stop the shirt-pulling, please. Kevin Mitchell: Rivaldo. Not for his fouls, but for trying to get opponents sent off. James Copnall: Paolo Montero. Much like Damien Hirst the Uruguayan has made dismembered bodies an art form. Amy Lawrence: Sepp Blatherer. No coincidence that most of his odious utterings leave an unpleasant whiff in the air. Best - and worst - match Paul Wilson Favourite match: Argentina 0 England 1 was the best I saw live, but for drama Korea's defeat of Italy was hard to beat. Worst match: Germany 8 Saudi Arabia 0. Surely everyone thinks so, especially viewers in Holland, Norway, Australia, etc. Amy Lawrence Favourite match: South Korea 2 Italy 1. Riveting drama, rip-roaring atmosphere - a World Cup classic that intoxicated everyone in the stadium. Worst match: Third-place play-off. Regardless of the quality of the match, the losing semi-finalists shouldn't be put through it. Kevin Mitchell Favourite match: The second half of England- Argentina. Desperate, clever and heroic. Worst match: Mexico-US.

A tepid, cowardly performance by Mexico. Guillem Balague Favourite match: Brazil-Costa Rica - Brazil knew they were going to win so they just played for fun. Worst match: The first halfs of Sweden-England and Spain-Slovenia (so much potential on the pitch, but so much fear). Ian Ridley Favourite match: South Korea 2 Italy 1. Everything right and wrong with the tournament in one game. Worst match: Nigeria 0 England 0. Lack of adventure led to England meeting Brazil in last eight. Simon Kuper Favourite match: Korea-Italy or Japan-Belgium. So rare at this World Cup to see a whole stadium 'live' a game. James Copnall Favourite match: Brazil 5 Costa Rica 2. Defending is a vastly overrated concept. Worst match: Germany 8 Saudi Arabia 0. Embarrassing. Best Gaol Paul Wilson: Rivaldo's against England. Hugely influential in terms of the match, brilliantly executed and a classic case of making opponents pay dearly for the tiniest lapse. Ronaldinho's second wasn't bad either.

I didn't think it was a fluke at the time, and I still don't. Ian Ridley: Edmilson, Costa Rica 2, Brazil 5. If England can just get Rio Ferdinand doing that... James Copnall: Salif Diao (Senegal) versus Denmark. Four players, 80 yards, immaculate. Amy Lawrence: Ronaldinho's free-kick against England. A wonder to behold. Best referee Paul Wilson: Pierluigi Collina. Other contenders include Anders Frisk and Kim Milton Nielsen. The standard of refereeing in the tournament was quite high - it was dodgy linesmen's calls that caused most of the problems. The worst ref was the one who sent off Francesco Totti for diving. Clamping down on simulation is fine, and so is handing out yellow cards to offenders, but a referee needs to be wholly sure of his ground to issue a second yellow for a perceived dive. Totti might have been guilty, though these things are never cut and dried, even with the benefit of action replays. Guillem Balague: Byron Moreno (he only made one mistake, or better, his assistant did - the offside to Tomassi).

The worst was Lopez Nieto - no match in the World Cup has deserved 16 cards. Amy Lawrence: Pierluigi Collina. The main man gets the final. When he retires, he should be put in charge of coaching the game's so-called top officials. As for the worst official - as error-prone as many of the refs were, the tweedledum and tweedledee assistants from Trinidad and Uganda who caused havoc during Spain v South Korea were the lowest of the low. Best food Ian Ridley: Sizzling sausages and boiled eggs, as recommended by John Motson. Amy Lawrence: Bibim Bap. Korean rice and vegetables that keep on cooking as you eat from a boiling stone pot, not forgetting the obligatory Korean ketchup known as kimchi - fermented cabbage that apparently makes you live for ever. Guillem Balague: The wonderful lunchsets on sale in the supermarkets - feasts of rice, salmon, ham, vegetables... Kevin Mitchell: Tenpanyaki in Toyo Hotel, Osaka. Best moment Simon Kuper: After Japan-Turkey, when the Turkish team bowed to each stand in turn and the Japanese fans gave them an ovation.

Then the Japanese players, many of them, like Kazuyuki Toda, in tears, did a lap of honour, and the fans gave them an ovation too. Amy Lawrence: The rocking bus ride back from the Brazil-Turkey semi-final was like a scene from the extra-terrestrial bar in Star Wars. A loopy Brazilian drag queen dressed up to the nines as Ronaldo's nurse, with a podgy blue-haired drummer who had a touch of The Muppets' Animal about him as his/her sidekick, led the party, which included a tipsy Korean with fantastic Dennis Taylor glasses, a Japanese zombie and a couple of Mexicans passing round a bottle of lethal tequila who had everyone bellowing La Bamba. Even English fans were welcome. Football aside, moments like this are what the globe's favourite carnival is about. Paul Wilson: English fans joining Argentina supporters in waving goodbye to Marcelo Bielsa's team as they checked out of their Sapporo hotel the morning after defeat by England. A band were already playing Guantanamera, and within moments a distinct chorus of 'You're going home with the Froggies' could be heard above the wailing.

Guillem Balague: I booked a hotel in a place that I was told was near enough to Ulsan, where I was going to see Spain play Slovenia. In fact, it was 30 kilometres away, but the fact that it was a love hotel made up for the disappointment. A love hotel is a place where you take a person of the opposite sex for an evening. The owners offer a stimulating video collection on each floor and chambermaids leave two different tapes next to the television in every room each morning. They're great for getting in the mood for a hard day of World Cup coverage, apparently. On my last day there I received one with a chubby woman waggling herself to music and another with a different chubby woman who had designs on her female friend. I wondered how they knew about my very secret tastes. But, I must stress, I didn't watch any. Kevin Mitchell: An England fan, shirt off, belly out, sways drunkenly in the street around midnight in Niigata. He takes a final swig of the night and, against all his instincts, places the empty can neatly beside a pylon and staggers home. Another invader civilised.

John Carlin: The Spanish midfielder Ivan Helguera trying to inflict grievous bodily harm on the Egyptian referee at the end of the quarter-final game against South Korea. In an age when the game has become so asphyxiatingly commercial, Helguera's unfettered Corinthianism was refreshing. Somewhere in his mind the most intelligent player on the Spain team will have understood that he was risking the end of his international career; possibly even the end of his professional career and the vast riches, as a Real Madrid player, that entails. He didn't care. The impulse to beat the crap out of the referee, guilty together with his Trinidadian linesman of the fiasco of the tournament, revealed Helguera as a man of flawless moral instincts. James Copnall: It wasn't a spectacular goal and the game it decided was more engrossing than exalted, but Bouba Diop's scrambled strike against France not only beat the seemingly invincible holders, but set the tone for the whole World Cup. After that, who could truly be surprised by Argentina's demise or the United States' rise?

It showed once more that arrogance can prove costly in the face of determination and restated football's greatest quality: there is no such thing as an invulnerable team, however great their players, however full their trophy cabinet. Best mistake Paul Wilson: The Japanese pronunciation of Athole Still (Eriksson's agent). Think about it. Amy Lawrence: Roger Lemerre, kidding himself that Franck Leboeuf, who once won the World Cup, could do it again. Also, no one thinking to buy José Camacho some antiperspirant throughout the entire tournament. Guillem Balague: Vieri in injury time against South Korea. Not sure of the role of this mistake in the great anti-Italian plot... Kevin Mitchell: Mick McCarthy calling that team meeting - or was it Roy Keane refusing to apologise? James Copnall: The commonly held pre-tournament belief that 'Big Phil' Scolari was a defensive-minded coach out to throttle all Brazil's attacking instincts. Biggest disappointment Paul Wilson: Japanese cuisine. It is perfectly possible to eat very well in Japan - though it tends to cost - but natives tend to prefer greasy, fried stuff to sushi.

Saveloy stalls in Southend smell sweeter, and walking the streets can be a queasy experience. John Carlin: The manner of Spain's exit. Ian Ridley: Assistant referees. They have one job and a lot of them just couldn't manage it. Kevin Mitchell: Roy Keane's absence. James Copnall: Scotland. Oh, no wait, not this time. France. Amy Lawrence: Conspiracy theorists who tried to denigrate South Korea's admirable adventure. Point the finger at Fifa or referees if you must, but they deserved credit, not cynicism. Best flair player Amy Lawrence: Rivaldo's spontaneity has stood out, even in the matches Brazil were able to win on cruise control. Would have been everyone's favourite player had he not cheated in their opening game. Paul Wilson: Ronaldinho. Guillem Balague: Rafael Marquez. Mexico's centre-half is cool on the ball, meaning that the rest of the team can position themselves 10 metres further forward than if a midfielder had to collect the ball to start the attack. He made too many defensive mistakes. though. to be considered one of the very best. Ian Ridley: Joe Cole. Or he could have been, if given the chance.

Kevin Mitchell: Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha. James Copnall: Uraguay's Alvaro Recoba - in the true sense of the term flair, he alternated brilliance with invisibility. Best character Paul Wilson: Rob Smaal. Soccer sceptic and purveyor of Americanisms to the Japan Times. Example: 'What is it with Emile Heskey? He has spent more time on the grass than Jerry Garcia.' Actually he was on about Klose and Neuville... Ian Ridley: Gary Lineker, for drolely holding it all together for the BBC. Kevin Mitchell: The old boy who took our press-pass photos in Niigata. 'I say cheese and you... No, I say.... No, uh... You smile, OK?' Best coach: Paul Wilson: Bruce Arena (US). Not only did this guy have the best name and preside over the most impressive turnaround since the last World Cup, he came out with my all-time favourite football line: 'On paper we don't have a chance against Germany, but this game is played on grass.' John Carlin: Senegal coach Bruno Metsu. Ian Ridley: Luiz Felipe Scolari. Big job, big man.

James Copnall: Guus Hiddink - who gave us the Hiddink punch. Amy Lawrence: Guus Hiddink. Has to be the most employable coach on the planet, provided anyone can lure him away from his calling as South Korea's next president. Was co-hosting a success Paul Wilson: There were problems, notably the additional expense involved in travelling between two clearly separate countries, the fact that 20 stadiums are plainly too many, and the unfairness of a rigged draw that had Turkey playing Brazil twice before the final. None of these is insurmountable, though one feels it will be a while before Fifa repeat this experiment. If co-hosting has a future, it will be in smaller nations that are genuinely adjacent. Even then, as with Belgium and Holland in Euro 2000, the inevitable downside is one country enjoying the tournament more than the other. Two years ago all the fun seemed to be in Holland, this time it was in Korea, partly because their respective teams lived longer in the competition.

Guillem Balague: It takes 22 hours to get from Shizuoka in Japan to Gwangju in Korea and three trains, one taxi, one night hotel, one plane, one subway and two coaches, as well as four security checks. Not the only nightmarish story about travelling. So, no. John Carlin: No. The Koreans and Japanese hate each other's guts. The sense you had was of two distinct tournaments taking place. Logistics between the two countries were revealingly poor. Kevin Mitchell: Almost despite itself, I think it was - because the fans, travelling and home, rescued what was a logistical nightmare. James Copnall: Within a limited framework, yes: two antagonistic nations didn't fight each other, and the facilities were magnificent wherever you went. Players did complain of travel tiredness, however, and journalists and fans saw only half the games they might otherwise have. For the armchair supporter it mattered little, but for anyone involved the logistics were numbing. Japorea managed to co-host in a way that probably could not have been bettered, but it is an experiment that should certainly never be repeated.

Amy Lawrence: Because of the distance between the two countries, it did feel like two World Cups were going on simultaneously. If you were stationed in one country you inevitably felt dislocated from events in the other, and apart from the super-rich or super-dedicated, the majority of visitors experienced either Japan or Korea. That said, both countries put on a hugely welcoming World Cup experience. They may not have been given the chance were it not for co-hosting. world-cup-info | world cup team profiles - profiles of the countries in the 2002 soccer world cup - korea and japan Profiles - World Cup Teams (Countries) Argentina Argentina, rather than four-times champions Brazil, are set to lead South America's challenge at the 2002 World Cup. They swept through the marathon qualifying competition with 13 wins in 18 games, a record which makes it clear that they must be considered among the title favourites ... MORE Belgium Belgium, a small country with few big-name soccer stars and lacking a money-spinning league, have defied the odds again to reach the World Cup finals for the sixth consecutive time. Belgium, who usually reach the World Cup the hard way, qualified by beating the Czech Republic 2-0 ...

MORE Brazil Brazil's exuberant attacking play has illuminated past World Cups but the unique skills of players such as Pele, Garrincha, Leonidas, Rivelino, Zico and Socrates have been replaced by the bone-crunching tackle of a new breed of midfield hard-men. In the last decade, Brazilian football has become ... MORE Cameroon Cameroon will set a record for Africa when they make their fifth World Cup finals appearance this summer. With Morocco's surprise failure to qualify, they have now progressed to the World Cup finals more times than any other African country. Already, they have achieved the distinction of going ... MORE China PR For China, the most satisfying part of the World Cup - getting to the finals for the first time after a series of heartbreaking near-misses - is over. Overcoming a 44-year-long jinx with a convincing run through the qualifiers for the finals in South Korea and Japan has sent the world's most populous nation ... MORE Costa Rica It has been 12 years since Costa Rica last appeared in the World Cup finals, but if any nation can benefit from such a prolonged absence it is the Ticos.

The 2002 finals in South Korea and Japan marks only the second time Costa Rica has qualified for the finals following their ... MORE Croatia Surprise semi-finalists in their first World Cup in France, Croatia's 'Fiery Eleven' of 1998 have set a tough standard for the current team. However, the side heading for Japan and South Korea, a blend of experience and youth, are forging their own reputation and manager Mirko Jozic says ... MORE Denmark A rejuvenated Denmark swept past Iceland 6-0 and into their third World Cup finals with a style and aggression that is fast becoming their signature.That victory, which secured Denmark first place in group three and a ticket to South Korea and Japan, underlined the return to form of the 1992 ... MORE Ecuador Ecuador first became involved in international football in 1938. Until November 2001 the story been one of 63 years of almost non-stop frustration. They managed only four wins in their first 25 years of internationals - against Colombia (1938, 1949 and 1963) and Paraguay in 1959 ...

MORE England From Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the Final to images of captain Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley, the 1966 World Cup remains the ultimate moment of triumph in English sporting history. Yet the real story surrounding England's route to glory against Germany in one of the ... MORE France Complacency could be France's biggest obstacle at the World Cup finals. Roger Lemerre's side, who will start as favourites together with Argentina, have nothing to prove. Success at Euro 2000 has been added to their triumph at France '98 and even FIFA's hard-to-climb ... MORE Germany In the end Germany qualified emphatically for the World Cup finals with a 5-2 demolition of Ukraine in the play-offs. But their achievement has not masked their real fears that they could have missed out on the World Cup for the first time since 1950. A goalless draw with Finland following ... MORE Ireland Ireland will not feature among the favourites to lift the 2002 World Cup but the fighting qualities they displayed in the qualifying campaign make them a side no one will relish facing.

Unbeaten away from home since September 1999 until Iran scored an academic last-minute winner against ... MORE Italy After disappointing at France '98, Italy head for Japan and South Korea with the firm belief that they have a real chance of claiming their fourth World Cup. An exit on penalties in the quarter-finals to hosts and eventual winners France four years ago was no disgrace for the side then coached ... MORE Japan While Japan are unlikely to add the World Cup to their Asian Cup title, the co-hosts proved by reaching the final of the 2001 Confederations Cup that have come a long way under Philippe Troussier.The Frenchman has moulded the Japan team into a cohesive unit capable of winning big matches even ... MORE Korea Republic Of all the emotions felt by South Koreans in the run-up to the biggest event ever staged in their country, the strongest is anxiety. While there is a large measure of pride in the privilege of opening Asia's first-ever World Cup soccer finals, this is balanced by a pervading feeling that the team may not do justice to the magnificent facilities being provided ...

MORE Mexico Mexico boasts a football-mad population of nearly 100 million, one of Latin America's richest domestic leagues and has staged two of the best-organised, most memorable World Cups in history. Yet the national team remains one of the great enigmas of international football ... MORE Nigeria Nigeria's dismal semi-final exit in the African Nations in Mali came amid mutterings of player rebellion, while senior squad members have talked about the worst-ever preparations they can recall. And should the Super Eagles really go from good to better to best, soaring to the heights they're capable of in ... MORE Paraguay At first glance there are not too many similarities between the Irish and the Paraguayan soccer teams. But in one respect they do have something in common. Neither can be considered among the favourites to win the 2002 World Cup but anyone who underestimates them is likely to get a very ... MORE Poland After 16 years in the football wilderness, a restyled Poland return to the 2002 World Cup with the tough task of recapturing at least some of the glory of a generation ago.

Poland's best spell in international soccer spanned the early 1970s and 1980s when they finished third in the World Cups of ... MORE Portugal 'We must stop being the best and come first instead', Portuguese coach Antonio Oliveira said of his side's preparations for their third crack at the World Cup in 2002. With a side full of big names playing in Europe's top clubs, and dubbed the Brazilians of Europe by fan and foe ... MORE Russia Until a favourable draw grouped them with Belgium, Tunisia and Japan, Russia seemed to be facing an uphill battle just to avoid a first-round exit this summer. Many Russian experts doubt their team's ability to make any impact on the world stage, pointing to problems in almost every aspect of the game: physical, tactical and mental ... MORE Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia overcame a miserable start to the qualifiers to seal a place in the World Cup finals thanks to Bahrain's humbling of regional rival Iran and a new confidence in homegrown coaching talent. But a team rated by William Hill least likely to lift the trophy will have to display unusual ...

MORE Senegal Senegal produced a surprise performance to book their first trip to the World Cup finals, emerging not only from the ranks of the unfancied but through arguably the toughest of the African qualifying groups. The Lions of west Africa edged out four-time World Cup finalists Morocco on goal difference ... MORE Slovenia When Slovenia gained independence in 1991, its soccer team was considered the weakest of all the former Yugoslav republics. A decade later, while Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Macedonia sit at home, Srecko Katanec's side along with Croatia are on their way to South Korea and Japan to take part in the World Cup in ... MORE South Africa South Africa have made clear their aims for the World Cup finals - progress past the first round and into the knockout phase. South Africa were disappointing in their only previous World Cup finals appearance, failing to get past the opening round at France '98 despite only one defeat ... MORE Spain Whatever problems Spain face in the World Cup finals in June, at least they should not be weighed down by the burden of expectation this time. Coach Jose Antonio Camacho should be able to assemble one of the most talented squads on show in South Korea and Japan, drawn largely from ...

MORE Sweden Dull but efficient Sweden are nobody's first choice as soccer's most spectacular side - but neither are they anybody's choice to be humiliated in the World Cup finals. The Swedes conceded just three goals and remained unbeaten on their way to the top spot in Europe's qualifying group four ... MORE Tunisia The only North African team to make it to this year's football festival, Tunisia remained unbeaten throughout an admittedly weak qualifying section, clinching a berth at the World Cup finals for the second straight time. Considered by many as the weakest team to take part in this summer's ... MORE Turkey The last time Turkey met a real world footballing power, the results were not pretty. Powerful French midfielders sent their smaller Turkish opposite numbers sprawling into the mud of a rainy Istanbul night late in 2000 as the World and European champions swept to an all too easy 4-0 friendly win ... MORE Uruguay Uruguay, who played a pivotal role in turning soccer into an international game, make a welcome return to the World Cup after watching the last two tournaments from the sidelines.

The smallest nation to have won the trophy claimed the 32nd and final place when they beat Australia 3-1 on aggregate in a play-off after finishing fifth in the ... MORE USA The one positive aspect the United States can take from a thoroughly miserable last place at the 1998 World Cup is that they couldn't possibly perform any worse at this summer's tournament. While the U.S. defense has always been relatively solid, if somewhat pedestrian, creativity in forward areas is ... MORE Football World Cup winners list | FIFA soccer WC champion teams, history Football World Cup winners list Published on Jun 20, 2014 Take a close look at the greatest football teams on earth: the FIFA World Cup champions. The World Cup, also known as the Mundial or Copa do Mundo, has been held 19 times since it inaugural tournament in 1930. It has been won by eight different teams, with Brazil having the most World Cup titles with five, followed by Italy with four, and West Germany with three. Argentina and Uruguay have two titles each while England, France, and Spain have one title. Below is a year-by-year account of all the World Cup champion teams.

1930 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina Host country: Uruguay The 1930 World Cup was staged in Uruguay and it was the host country that won the championship. In the final match, the Uruguayans saw themselves trailing behind Argentina by 2-1 but managed to turn things around in the second half by scoring three goals. Uruguay became the first World Cup winner with a 4-2 score. 1934 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia (Extra time) Host country: Italy The 1934 World Cup was once again won by the host country and this time it was Italy that took the trophy. Playing against Czechoslovakia, Italy imposed a very tough defense but the visiting team breached the Italian line in the 70th to lead 1-0. Italy retaliated to make the game 1-1 before the end of regulation and bagged the win in overtime by a 2-1 tally. 1938 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 4-2 Hungary Host country: France Italy retained its crown in the 1938 World Cup in France.

In the final match against Hungary, the Italians broke clear with a 3-1 score at halftime and finished the game 4-2. 1950 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil Host country: Brazil The World Cup was not staged again until 1950 because of the Second World War. Played in Brazil, this edition of the Mundial saw one of the biggest upsets in football history when the host country lost to the Uruguay football team. Brazil was highly favored to win in the final match with Uruguay, which was lowly rated after not qualifying in the two previous World Cups. The Brazilians scored two minutes into the second half and everything seemed to be going well for them. However, Uruguay tied on the 66th minute mark and scored anew on the 79th to steal the 1950 World Cup trophy. 1954 FIFA World Cup Final score: West Germany 3-2 Hungary Host country: Switzerland The 1954 World Cup saw another major upset: In the group stage, the Hungarians trashed West Germany 8-3 and was highly favored to win when the two teams met again in the final.

Scoring two goals after only eight minutes, the Hungarian football team looked like they were on a smooth way to the Mundial trophy. However, West Germany equalized within the first half and, just five minutes before the end of regulation, broke away with another goal to win 3-2. 1958 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 5-2 Sweden Host country: Sweden Host Sweden matched up against Brazil in the final of the 1958 World Cup. The Swedish football team opened the scoring but found themselves trailing by 2-1 at the end of the first half. Brazil played top-class football for the rest of the second half and finished the game 5-2. Brazil’s successful campaign was spurred by one of the greatest footballers in history , Pele, who played his first Mundial in this year. 1962 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia Host country: Chile In the 1962 World Cup, Brazil faced Czechoslovakia in the final match without its goal-scoring genius, Pele, as he was injured in the first round.

The Czechoslovakians struck the first goal but the Brazilians showed their offensive flare to emerge as victors with a 3-1 score. This was the second of five World Cup trophies in the Brazilian football team’s history. 1966 FIFA World Cup Final score: England 4-2 West Germany (Extra time) Host country: England England faced West Germany at the final of the 1966 World Cup. The Germans found the back of the net first but the English equalized by halftime, 1-1. In the second half, the English pulled away with a goal’s lead but West Germany scored before the end of regulation to take the game into overtime with a 2-2 score. Englishman Geoff Hurst, who had one goal in regulation, scored twice in overtime to make England World Cup winners and to become the only player ever to score a hat trick in a Mundial final. The 1966 victory is the only World Cup trophy in the English football team’s history as of present. 1970 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 3-1 West Germany Host country: Spain The 1982 World Cup title is the third of Italy.

It was not an easy one, as the Italians barely survived elimination in the first round. The first half of the final game did not prove to be inspiring either, as Italy missed a penalty that would have opened the scoring. However, Italy managed to squeeze a goal on the 56th minute and followed it up with two more goals to lead 3-0. West Germany scored a goal in the 82nd minute to finish the game honorably, 3-1. 1986 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 0-0 Italy (3-2 pen) Host country: United States The 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, is the fourth occasion that Brazil would rip the highest honor in football. In the final match, neither Brazil nor its opponent, Italy, scored in the regulation and extra periods so the game was forced into a penalty shootout. Both sides missed on their first attempt but Brazil converted its following shots while Italy suffered two more misses to lose 3-2 in the shootout. The biggest disappointment came to Italian football hero Roberto Baggio, who led his team throughout the tournament only to miss his chance from the penalty spot in the final game.

1998 FIFA World Cup Final score: France 3-0 Brazil Host country: France The 1998 World Cup trophy was competed between 32 teams and it was France that emerged triumphant. The French survived the quarter finals through a penalty shootout against Italy and defeated Croatia in the semis with a 2-1 score. They went on to the final to square up with Brazil. The final belonged to French football legend Zinedine Zidane who scored two goals in regulation to make victory imminent for the host country. His efforts were complemented by Emmanuel Petit, who added another goal in stoppage period. The match ended 3-0 for the first World Cup title in France’s football squad history. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 2-0 Germany Host country: South Korea & Japan The 2002 World Cup was the first to be held in Asia and saw Brazil become the winner once again. Ronaldo scored both of Brazil’s goals to surge pass Germany 2-0 in the final match.

The brilliant striker finished as 2002 top scorer but it was the football goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn of Germany who bagged the award for the tournament’s best player, the Golden Ball. (This World Cup, with Korea and Japan as hosts, is the first to be hosted by two nations.) 2006 FIFA World Cup Brazil vs. Germany 2002 World Cup Final: Where Are They Now? | Bleacher Report Brazil vs. Germany 2002 World Cup Final: Where Are They Now? By Mark Lovell , Featured Columnist Jul 7, 2014 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse the slideshow THOMAS KIENZLE/Associated Press 2002 Final teams take to the pitch 27.1K 22 Comments Germany battered Brazil 7-1 in their own backyard to win a place in the 2014 World Cup final. Amazingly for these footballing heavyweights with eight World Cup wins between them, the semi-final clash in Belo Horizonte was only the second occasion the two nations have met at the showcase tournament.

Brazil won the first-ever meeting, 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final, which featured a certain 24-year-old named Miroslav Klose, and the famous three Rs of Ronaldo , Rivaldo and Ronaldinho . Here we recall the stars making the headlines on that momentous day in Yokohama and reveal where they are now. All player statistics are correct as indicated on the fantastic Sambafoot Brazil database and the German Football Association website . Brazilians smile on the eve of the 2002 final. Well spotted! Yes, there are more than 11 men in this photo. Maybe that's why Brazil won? Germany starting lineup German starting lineup from left to right, starting from the back row: Dietmar Hamann, Miroslav Klose, Marco Bode, Christoph Metzelder, Thomas Linke, Jens Jeremies, Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider, Torsten Frings, Oliver Kahn (captain), Oliver Neuville. Will Big Phil celebrate against the Germans again on Tuesday?

Few can handle the pressure as well as the coach dubbed ''Big Phil.'' Scolari shocked Brazil in 2002 by leaving out the legend Romario from the final squad. Relying on the attacking talents of the three Rs (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo), Scolari secured the Selecao's fifth World Cup title. The 65-year-old coach was aiming to match Italy's Vittorio Pozzo (1934, 1938) as the only coach to win the World Cup twice. However, the 7-1 demolition by the Germans left the hosts' World Cup dream in tatters. It was the highest semi-final margin in the history of the competition. Rudi consoles Kahn Voller was a member of the legendary 1990 World Cup-winning side. He was famous for his haircut that earned him the nickname “Tante Kathe” (Aunt Kathe). Tight-perm hairstyles were definitely the fashion back in the day. His finest hour as Germany coach came as he guided an unfancied team all the way to the final in 2002.

Voller is still a popular figure in the game today, serving Bayer Leverkusen (where he ended his playing career) in a whole host of capacities—currently as director of football. Quite simply, the world's best referee. It was only fitting that the 2002 final was refereed by revered Italian Pierluigi Collina. Between 1998 and 2003, Collina was voted the world's best official by his peers. A charismatic figure with a crazy stare and distinctive bald head, Collina continues to be a popular and respected figure in the game today, despite retiring nearly 10 years ago. He is head of referees at UEFA and is still widely sought after by companies wishing to plug their wares. "Regina, eu te amo!" -"Regina, I love you!" 147 caps, five goals Cafu was a remarkable right-back and the only player to have appeared in three World Cup finals, winning two in 1994 and 2002. He was handed the captaincy in 2002 after a freak injury to Emerson in training and thrived on the added responsibility as Brazil marched to the title.

He has a remarkable record of 16 wins in 20 games at the tournament . He is also the most capped Brazilian of all time with 147 appearances for the national side. He retired in 2008 after an outstanding Serie A career with Roma and AC Milan . Cafu is currently a World Cup ambassador, and his foundation does excellent work all over the globe. Tweet 105 games, 67 goals "The Phenomenon" is arguably the greatest finisher in the modern game. Check out the video for his trademark goal celebration with outstretched arms similar to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in his native Rio de Janeiro. Who can also forget his famous buck-toothed smile? At only 17, Ronaldo made the Brazilian squad that won in 1994. He did not play in the tournament, but gained valuable experience in the big-time. He scored both goals as Brazil gunned down Germany in the final of 2002 and won the Golden Boot award as top goalscorer with eight goals. This made up for the bitter disappointment of 1998, when a clearly unfit Ronaldo was a shadow of his normal self against France in the final.

It was later revealed that Ronaldo had suffered convulsions on the eve of the match in Paris. During the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 15 goals, surpassing Gerd Mueller's record of 14 for West Germany. Ronaldo racked up the goals all over Europe from 1994 to 2008. He started his adventure with PSV Eindhoven in Holland, played in Italy for both AC and Inter Milan , and also appeared for both the Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid . The striker had battled manfully against a whole host of potentially career-ending injuries throughout his career. He finally called it a day in 2011 while at his final club Corinthians back in his homeland. Ronaldo cuts a bit of a roly-poly figure these days and looks to be very much enjoying his retirement. And why shouldn't he? After all, he is one of the most famous footballers on the planet, is a World Cup ambassador and does splendid charity work. He also has numerous sponsors to satisfy and co-owns a sports marketing company.

79 caps, 35 goals A vibrant forward with a very potent left foot, Rivaldo was rampant in the 2002 final. German keeper Kahn could not hold his fierce shot on 67 minutes, and Ronaldo was on hand to tap in the rebound to put Brazil ahead. The game was closed out after a casual Rivaldo dummy allowed Ronaldo to double the lead 12 minutes later. He damaged his reputation for fair play at the 2002 tournament, after getting a Turkish player, Hakan Unsal, sent off. Rivaldo fell theatrically to the ground clutching his face, when the ball had merely hit him on the thigh. He spent five years at Barcelona, forging a successful partnership with Patrick Kluivert, winning the league twice in 1998 and 1999. He also won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003. He enjoyed four years in Greece for AEK Athens and Olympiacos. In latter years, Rivaldo appeared to chase the money a little, appearing in Uzbekistan for Bunyodkor from 2008 to 2010.

It was only in March of this year that Rivaldo, aged 41, announced his retirement. He is now President of Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube in Brazil. His son, Rivaldinho, plays for the side. Tweet 101 caps, 36 goals Arguably one of the most skilful players of his generation, Ronaldinho Gaucho became famous for his no-look passes and outstanding trickery. He was another Brazilian star with a goofy smile, who also looked like he was enjoying his football. He dashed England's World Cup hopes in the 2002 quarter-finals with a fluke goal from 40 yards, that flew in over the head of stranded keeper David Seaman. Ronaldinho won his 100th cap against England at Wembley in 2013 and still harboured hopes of making the World Cup the following year. However, the 34-year-old's hopes were dashed by coach Scolari, in similar fashion to 2002 when Big Phil left out Romario from the squad. In Europe, he won the Champions League in 2006 in Barcelona and also had bright spells at PSG and AC Milan.

He is seeing out his career with Atletico Mineiro after returning to Brazil to initially play for Flamengo in 2010. Ronaldinho will be watching the game on Tuesday wondering perhaps what might have been. Tweet 134 caps, 11 goals Once considered the world's best left-back, Roberto Carlos, at least to this neutral observer, always looked like he was enjoying his football. He was nicknamed el hombre bala ("the bullet man") in reference to his fearsome free-kicks, which were regularly measured at over 100mph. Roberto Carlos started his Selecao career back in 1992 and played in three successive World Cups from 1998. He was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1998 and 2002. He spent 11 largely successful seasons at Real Madrid from 1996, playing 584 matches in all competitions, scoring 71 goals. At Real he won Spain's La Liga on four occasions and three Champions League titles. Carlos is currently coach of Sivasspor in Turkey, after initially cutting his teeth in management with big-spending Russian side Anschi Machatschkala.

Gilberto Silva harries Schneider 99 caps, three goals Gilberto Silva was arguably one of the best defensive midfielders in the game after the turn of the century. In the words of Veja magazine, Gilberto "carried the piano for Ronaldo and Rivaldo to play their tunes on." He scored all his three goals for Brazil in his first four games but didn’t score again in the next eight years and 95 games. Gilberto also represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. At Arsenal , he became an "Invincible" as an integral part of the undefeated Gunners' 2003-04 title-winning procession. He also won two FA Cups with Arsene Wenger's side. In 2013, Gilberto returned to Atletico Mineiro, where he lifted the Libertadores Cup, the South American Champions League. Gilberto is currently doing TV work during the World Cup. Yo, Adrian! It's me, Roque 49 caps, two goals Roque Junior played in all seven wins of the 2002 tournament and was a reliable defender in Scolari's side that lifted the trophy in Japan.

His greatest success in Brazilian club football came while at Palmeiras, with whom he won the 1999 Copa Libertadores. In Europe, he enjoyed a less-than-distinguished spell with Leeds United in the Premier League, and he also played in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen and Duisburg and in Italy's Serie A for AC Milan. Roque Junior is now committed to helping Sao Jose Esporte Clube's youth players with a project called "Project First Jersey" and until recently was director of football at Clube Parana. Manchester United fans look away now.. 34 caps, two goals Manchester United fans may doubt this, but Kleberson is a World Cup winner and, according to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, was the undoubted midfield driving force behind the victory. Kleberson went closest to opening the scoring in the first half against Germany, firing against the crossbar with keeper Kahn stranded. On the back of stunning performances at the 2002 World Cup finals, Sir Alex Ferguson took the plunge and signed the bustling midfielder for £6.5 million from Atletico Paranaense. Kleberson endured a torrid time in England.

He was injured in only his second outing for United and made only 20 appearances in two seasons. After a spell in Turkey with Besiktas , Kleberson went home to play for Flamengo and was recalled to the national team in 2009 after more than four years in the international wilderness. He also played in the 2010 World Cup against Chile. After a loan spell at Philadelphia Union in the MLS last year; Kleberson currently plays for Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League. Juninho jinks between the Germans 55 caps, seven goals Juninho Paulista came on as a late sub for Ronaldinho in the final with the game all but sewn up. The tricky midfielder is much loved in England after two successful spells in the North East with Middlesbrough . During his professional career, he also played for Brazilian clubs Sao Paulo, Vasco da Gama, Palmeiras and CR Flamengo, as well as in Spain for Atletico Madrid , Celtic in Scotland and Sydney FC in Australia. Juninho now owns his hometown team and is President of Ituano; who earlier this year beat Santos to win the Sao Paulo state championship.

He is a pundit on Brazilian TV station Fox Sports and is also working for the BBC in England during the World Cup. Denilson flatters to deceive 63 caps, nine goals Once the world's most expensive player when he signed for Real Betis in 1998, Denilson never quite fulfilled expectations. South American football expert Tim Vickery maintains that Denilson failed because “he believed all the hype about himself, thought that he was well on the way to being crowned the world’s best player, and when he saw that it wasn’t going to happen he lost momentum.” In a 16-year professional career Denilson appeared in two World Cups for Brazil and saw out his playing time in exotic locations such as America, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. In the 2002 World Cup, he was mainly used as a substitute, coming on for Ronaldo in the last-minute as the double goalscorer left the pitch to standing ovations. After retirement, Denílson has worked as a sports commentator for Rede Bandeirantes and on the TV show Jogo Aberto.

Tweet 86 caps, two own goals Oliver Kahn was once undoubtedly the best keeper in the world—an intimidating monster of muscular authority who dominated opposition strikers as they bore down on his goal. "The Titan" was fiercely aggressive and had spectacular agility, which inspired a distinctly average German side all the way to the 2002 World Cup final, where, despite losing, he was the first-ever goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player. We should turn a blind eye to his blunder, which allowed Ronaldo to fire Brazil ahead, as without "King Kahn" the Germans would have been on the plane home from Asia a fortnight earlier. Today, Kahn remains a popular German icon. He has has carved out a new career as a TV pundit and is a much sought-after advertising figure. 98 caps, 42 goals Michael Ballack missed the 2002 final due to suspension in a cruel twist of fortune. The German legend was in inspired form and scored in both the quarter- and semi-final wins but was robbed of the chance to play in the most important game of his career after being booked against South Korea.

The rules have since been changed as a result of the body blow for Ballack that prevented him from taking part in the showcase 2002 final. Ballack also missed the 2010 tournament due to injury and then had to say goodbye to the international arena. He enjoyed a trophied club career with Bayern Munich and Chelsea in England. However, he never managed to win the Champions League or a team title with Germany. The recently retired Ballack is very present in the media, and he is currently working for ESPN at the World Cup and is also a popular advertising figure. Tweet 46 caps, three goals Carsten Ramelow made his breakthrough with Hertha Berlin 's amateur side in the German capital during their amazing run to the German Cup final of 1993. He was a solid, reliable defensive midfielder, who only managed to catch the eye with his distinctive blonde hair. Ramelow played all his Bundesliga top-tier football for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 22 times in 333 appearances. He finished second in the league on four occasions, including 2001-02, a season in which "Neverkusen" also lost in the German Cup and Champions League finals.

Therefore, it was probably no real surprise that the trend of seconds continued with a runners-up medal in the World Cup final of 2002. Ramelow now works for a ticketing and event marketing agency and has dipped his toes into the music industry as a singer to earn money for charity. Tweet 81 caps, four goals Bernd Schneider earned the nickname "The White Brazilian" for his dribbling and passing skills. He was definitely Germany’s most creative player in the 2002 final, but even he couldn’t break down the Brazilians. Former Brazil and Leverkusen star Juan once said about Schneider, “he’s the only German footballer, who could play right away for the Selecao.” Schneider started out at his hometown club Carl Zeiss Jena and made a name for himself during his decade-long stint at Bayer Leverkusen. He retired in 2009. He moved back home to Eastern Germany and acts as an advisor to his first club, Jena. He also scouts for Bayer Leverkusen and occasionally helps with kids coaching. He also posts some interesting musings on his website .

59 caps, five goals The midfielder made his name at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga twice in the 90s. While in German colours, Hamann scored the last-ever goal at the old Wembley Stadium in 2000 before its demolition. He was one of the key players in Germany's surprising run to the 2002 final but lost possession in the lead-up to Brazil's crucial opening goal. He enjoyed a highly successful time in England's Premier League with spells at Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City . Liverpool fans will, of course, remember Didi best for his role in their 2005 miracle of Istanbul, when he came off the bench to inspire the Reds to a dramatic comeback in the Champions League final against AC Milan. "Didi" later wrote a book detailing his gambling addiction, including tales of losing large amounts of money betting on cricket, quite bizarre for a German. Now a respected media pundit, he has worked for the BBC, Sky Sports, RTE and others. In January 2014, he was signed by Bleacher Report to write a regular column.

A Guy called Gerald 43 caps, six goals Born in Ghana, Asamoah and his family emigrated to Germany in 1990. Gerald became the first African-born player to play for Germany. Asamoah came on as a substitute with Germany chasing the game and played in two World Cups for his adopted country. His most successful spell in the Bundesliga came with Schalke 04 , making over 250 games over 11 years. After spells at St Pauli and Furth, He returned to the Gelsenkirchen club to help out with the reserves and also works in the PR department. He runs a thriving charity for children with heart problems . It is a subject very much close to his heart, as he himself had a serious condition, which, thankfully, he overcame to pursue a successful playing career. Metzelder pictured on final day 47 caps A Bundesliga winner in 2002 with Borussia Dortmund, Christoph Metzelder made his international breakthrough in Asia with some stoic performances at the back for Germany. In 2007 he moved to Real Madrid where he spent three injury-riddled seasons.

After moving back to Germany to play for Schalke, he decided to retire in 2013 at the age of only 32 after finally admitting defeat to the injuries. Today, he is very present in the media, doing punditry for Sky Germany, and talks very eloquently about German football. He also helps out with coaching his local amateur club in Haltern. Bierhoff still talks a good game 70 caps, 37 goals Back in 2002, Bierhoff came on as a late substitute in the final but was unable to find a goal to worry the Brazilians. Bierhoff enjoyed a successful career in Italy, with his best spells coming at the league's lesser lights of Ascoli and Udinese . He also won a title with AC Milan in 1998–99. He played a pivotal role in Germany's last international tournament success in 1996. In the Wembley final against the Czechs, Bierhoff scored the decisive golden goal in extra time, the first-ever in the history of the competition. Germany became European champions again, the first time as a unified country.

Today, he is still very much involved with the German national team as manager. This is not a coaching role. Bierhoff handles media, PR and organisational responsibilities with aplomb. Tweet 136 caps, 71 goals Miroslav Klose is still going strong and was the only player remaining from the 2002 final who had the chance to again shape history in the 2014 semi-final. The 36-year-old striker equalled Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring record of 15 goals with an equaliser against Ghana in the group stages. That precious equaliser meant Klose matched his compatriot Uwe Seeler's and Brazilian legend Pele's feat of scoring at four different World Cups. He is also one of only two players, along with Peru’s Teofilo Cubillas, to have scored at least five goals in two different World Cups, as well as the only player to have scored at least four goals in three different tournaments (2002, 2006 and 2010).

Remarkably, Germany have never lost a game in which Klose has scored and is their all-time leading scorer, having hauled in the long-standing record previously held by the legendary “Bomber” Gerd Mueller. And the Hollywood ending duly arrived in Belo Horizonte as Klose scored his 16th World Cup goal in Germany's 7-1 demolition of the hosts. Follow Mark Lovell @LovellLowdown

Question: Which country’s football team did Germany beat in the 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-final?
Answer: South Korea