XVII WORLD CUP (SOUTH KOREA & JAPAN 2002)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 31-05-2002 to 30-06-2002)

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Seoul World Cup Gyeonggijang — Seoul World Cup Stadium (Seoul) DATE: 31-05-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 62.561 REFEREE: Ali Mohammed Bujsaim (UAE) GOALS: 0-1 (Bouba Diop 30’) [Incidents: Opening game of the World Cup, preceded by an inaugural ceremony.]
		France - Senegal
		0-1 (0-1)
FRANCE Barthez Thuram, Leboeuf, Desailly (c), Lizarazu Vieira, Petit, Wiltord (Cissé 81’), Djorkaeff (Dugarry 60’) Henry, Trézéguet COACH: Roger Lemerre			SENEGAL Sylva Coly, Diatta, Malick Diop, Daf Diao, Cissé (c), Moussa N'Diaye, Bouba Diop Fadiga, Diouf COACH: Bruno Metsu
GAME SUMMARY Senegal emulated Cameroon in 1990 and produced the first major surprise of the tournament by defeating the title holders in the opening game. The irony of if was that Senegal had a French coach and almost all of their players were in French clubs, whereas the French played mostly in foreign clubs. Trézéguet was close to open the score, but he hit the top of a post. On the half hour mark, however, Senegal took a surprise lead when Diouf skinned Leboeuf on the left and put a low ball across the area, Petit knocked it back and the ball hit Barthez before falling into Bouba Diop’s path in front of an open goal. After the Senegalese opener, France pressed throughout, but without Zidane (injured) they lacked leadership and eventually grew weary (the French back four, marvellous in 1998, had by now an average age of 32). In contrast, a much younger and fresher Senegal didn’t need to make any substitutions in the game. Although Diouf was caught offside time and again, he was a constant nuisance to the French defense, who needed midfield protection more than ever. Henry hit the bar in the second half, but Fadiga had done the same a minute earlier.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Niigata Sutajiamu “Biggu Suwan” — Niigata Stadium “Big Swan” (Niigata) DATE: 1-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 33.679 REFEREE: Toru Kamikawa (JAP) GOALS: 0-1 (M'Boma 39’); 1-1 (Holland 52’)
		Ireland - Cameroon
		1-1 (0-1)
IRELAND Given G. Kelly, Staunton (c), Breen, Harte (Reid 77’) Holland, Kinsella, McAteer (Finnan 46’), Kilbane Robbie Keane, Duff COACH: Mick McCarthy			CAMEROON Alioum Geremi, Song (c), Kalla, Tchato Womé, Foé, Lauren, Olembé Eto'o, M'Boma (Suffo 69’) COACH: Winfried Schäfer
GAME SUMMARY Ireland clearly missed Roy Keane (expelled from the squad for misbehavior) in the first half, when Kinsella and Holland did very little and Cameroon were much more threatening and incisive, especially Eto’o, who broke through to force a save from Given and then made the African goal by beating Staunton and prodding the ball square for M’Boma. After the break, the Republic of Ireland were soon rewarded for a more attacking approach. Geremi should have doubled the Cameroonian advantage after a mistake by Harte, but one minute later Holland hit a low drive just inside a post when Kalla’s weak header found him on the edge of the area. Stopped in their tracks, Cameroon couldn’t switch play and Song might have conceded a penalty when he kept the ball away from Robbie Keane with his chest and arm. Before the tournament, McCarthy had trumpeted the potential of his two strikers, but Duff couldn’t get past defenders in this game and Robbie Keane was simply useless, constantly dispossessed of the ball too easily (although he hit a post with seven minutes left after another poor clearance by Kalla).

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Munsu Chukku Gyeonggijang — Munsu Football Stadium (Ulsan) DATE: 1-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 30.157 REFEREE: Saad Kamel Mane (KUW) GOALS: 0-1 (Tomasson 45’); 1-1 (Darío Rodríguez 47’); 1-2 (Tomasson 83’)
		Uruguay - Denmark
		1-2 (0-1)
URUGUAY Carini Méndez, Sorondo, Montero (c), Darío Rodríguez (Magallanes 87’) Guigou, Pablo García, Varela, Recoba (Regueiro 80’) Abreu (Morales 88’), Darío Silva COACH: Víctor Púa			DENMARK Sørensen Helveg, Henriksen, Laursen, Heintze (c) (N. Jensen 58’) Rommedahl, Tøfting, Gravesen, Grønkjær (Jørgensen 70’) Sand (Poulsen 89’), Tomasson COACH: Morten Olsen
GAME SUMMARY Uruguay came close to open the score after eight minutes, when “Chino” Recoba took a free kick. Soon afterward, Sand should have scored instead of heading the ball into the ground and onto the bar. Just before halftime, Denmark too the lead they deserved after an excellent team move, full of clever angled passes on the left, especially between Grønkjær and Tomasson, who scored with a soft touch. Immediately after halftime, Uruguay equalized against the run of play with one of the all-time great goals: When Henriksen’s defensive header from a corner reached Pablo García outside the Danish area, he kept it up in the air with two touches before knocking it sideways to the left, where Darío Rodríguez ran in and volleyed it high at the near post. Denmark dominated the rest of the second half, hitting hard in the tackle and keeping their shape, with Henriksen and Laursen tall and impressive at the back, Tøfting and Gravesen aggressive in the middle, and Rommedahl and Grønkjær fast on the wings. In the attack, Sand was employed to batter the door down and let Tomasson in to strike from deep. Recently voted man of the match in the UEFA Cup final, Tomasson scored the winner in keeping with the other two goals in this match, an elegant glancing header in off the bar from Jørgensen’s left-wing cross. The Danes looked like a solid team, likely to give others some unexpected problems.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Sapporo Domu “Hiroba” — Sapporo Dome “Square” (Sapporo) DATE: 1-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 32.218 REFEREE: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR) GOALS: 1-0 (Klose 20’); 2-0 (Klose 25’); 3-0 (Ballack 40’); 4-0 (Jancker 45+’); 5-0 (Klose 70’); 6-0 (Linke 73’); 7-0 (Bierhoff 84’); 8-0 (Schneider 90+’) [Incidents: Game played in an indoor stadium with a retractable pitch floating on a bed of air.]
		Germany - Saudi Arabia
		8-0 (4-0)
GERMANY Kahn (c) Linke, Ramelow (Jeremies 46’), Metzelder, Frings Schneider, Hamann, Ballack, Ziege Klose (Neuville 76’), Jancker (Bierhoff 67’) COACH: Rudi Völler			SAUDI ARABIA Al-Deayea Sulaimani, Zubromawi, Tukar, Dokhi, Al-Temyat (Al-Khathran 46’) Al-Owairan (Al-Shahrani 46’), Noor, Al-Waked Al-Jaber (c), Al-Yami (Jamaan 77’) COACH: Nasser al-Johar
GAME SUMMARY Saudi Arabia came to the tournament with experience on their back (Al-Deayea winning his 167 cap, Al-Jaber his 144, Zubromawi his 120) and recent home wins over Uruguay and Senegal, but all this didn’t shield them from the aerial pounding of Germany. Five of the goals were headed, by Klose (all three), Ballack and Linke; Jancker (who hadn’t scored a League goal all season with Bayern) put in Klose’s backheel flick; Bierhoff toe-poked the ball in from 25 meters; Schneider curled in a free kick in injury time. The difference could have been even greater if Jancker’s early goal hadn’t been wrongly disallowed when Al-Deayea missed a clearance kick. Noor tried hard in midfield, but Germany’s physique and aggressive running made the Saudis look underfed and anxious.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kashima Sutajiamu — Kashima Stadium (Ibaraki) DATE: 2-06-2002 (14:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 34.050 REFEREE: Gilles Veissière (FRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Batistuta 63’) [Incidents: The Argentinian captain Roberto Ayala pulled a thigh muscle during the pre-match warm-up and missed the rest of the tournament through injury.]
		Argentina - Nigeria
		1-0 (0-0)
ARGENTINA Cavallero Pochettino, Placente, Samuel Zanetti, Simeone, Verón (c) (Aimar 78’), Sorín Ortega, Batistuta (Crespo 81’), Claudio López (“Kily” González 46’) COACH: Marcelo Bielsa			NIGERIA Shorunmu Sodje (Christopher 73’), West, Okoronkwo Babayaro, Yobo, Okocha (c), Lawal Ogbeche, Kanu (Ikedia 48’), Aghahowa COACH: Adegboye Onigbinde
GAME SUMMARY Argentina were threatening and exciting from the start. “Burrito” Ortega gave Babayaro a hard time, and the young Nigerian attack made no headway against a strong defense. When Okocha beat Sorín and Verón before bringing a save from Caballero, it was Nigeria’s only shot on target. At the other end, the African defense struggled against a persistent Batistuta, especially when Verón took corners from the left. AS Roma’s attacker headed wide with the keeper nowhere, then lunged in to scrape a volley wide of an open goal with his studs, and finally arrived beyond the far post to head in from a very tight angle. Verón (the new Argentinian captain after Ayala’s injury) penned Nigeria in their own half and forced a number of free kicks and corners as Argentina justified their position as group favorites.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Asiad Ju Gyeonggijang — Asiad Main Stadium (Busan) DATE: 2-06-2002 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.186 REFEREE: Ľuboš Micheľ (SVK) GOALS: 1-0 (Santa Cruz 39’); 2-0 (Arce 55’); 2-1 (T. Mokoena 63’); 2-2 (Fortune [p.] 90+’)
		Paraguay - South Africa
		2-2 (1-0)
PARAGUAY Tavarelli Arce, Cáceres, Ayala, Gamarra (c), Caniza Acuña, Struway (Franco 86’), Alvarenga (Gavilán 66’) Santa Cruz, Campos (Morínigo 73’) COACH: Cesare Maldini			SOUTH AFRICA Arendse A. Mokoena, Issa (Mukansi 27’), Radebe (c), Carnell Nzama, T. Mokoena, Sibaya, Fortune Zuma, McCarthy (Koumantarakis 78’) COACH: Jomo Sono
GAME SUMMARY Paraguay took the lead before halftime when “Chiqui” Arce took a free kick, Arendse missed it and Santa Cruz scored with a brave header. In the second half, Arce curled another free kick in at the near post from wide on the left. Leading 2-0, Paraguay had no cause to regret leaving out Cardozo in favor of a five-men defense, especially as McCarthy was cancelled by the firm marking of Ayala and Gamarra. However, South Africa were given hope when Struway diverted Teboho Mokoena’s shot past Tavarelli. In injury time, Tavarelli’s unnecessary dive at Zuma’s feet earned a penalty for the African team, and Fortune equalized with his first international goal.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Saitama Sutajiamu 2002 — Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama) DATE: 2-06-2002 (18:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 52.721 REFEREE: Carlos Eugênio Simon (BRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Campbell 24’); 1-1 (Alexandersson 59’)
		England - Sweden
		1-1 (1-0)
ENGLAND Seaman Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A. Cole Beckham (c) (Dyer 63’), Hargreaves, Scholes, Vassell (J. Cole 74’) Owen, Heskey COACH: Sven-Göran Eriksson			SWEDEN Hedman Mellberg, Magnus Svensson (A. Svensson 56’), Mjällby (c), Lučić Jakobsson, Linderoth, Alexandersson, Ljungberg Allbäck (A. Andersson 80’), Larsson COACHES: Tommy Söderberg / Lars Lagerbäck
GAME SUMMARY After a nervous start, in which he was booked for a lunging foul on Larsson and missed a tackle that almost let Allbäck in, Campbell headed his first goal for England from Beckham’s left-wing corner while Hedman was being balked by Allbäck (who was preoccupied with holding on to Owen’s shirt). For the rest of the first half, Sweden remained totally unthreatening, especially Ljungberg (who was playing in pain from a hip injury) and Larsson. After halftime, England fell away completely, and committed the mistake of hitting long passes up to small strikers (Owen and Vassell) against a defense that stayed deep. Heskey was out of position and Scholes did nothing going forward. Meanwhile Beckham, who had been out for eight weeks with a broken foot, became increasingly invisible in the time he could hold on, but his substitution set Lučić free to come forward (Seaman had to save his volley when Larsson put him through). Sweden eventually equalized when Mills gave the ball to Alexandersson, who made space to his left before thumping a shot high past an unsighted Seaman. England disintegrated after the Swedish goal. Ashley Cole miskicked to set up Larsson and headed the ball back into the small area for Linderoth to shoot over. Having a Swedish manager didn’t help England to overcome their “Swedish curse” (ten games without defeat against England since 1968).

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Gwangju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Gwangju World Cup Stadium (Gwangju) DATE: 2-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 28.598 REFEREE: Mohammed Guezzaz (MOR) GOALS: 1-0 (Raúl 44’); 2-0 (Valerón 74’); 2-1 (Cimirotič 82’); 3-1 (Hierro [p.] 87’) [Incidents: Zahovič was expelled from the Slovenian squad after he swore at Srečko Katanec when he was substituted in the second half, and later at the team hotel.]
		Spain - Slovenia
		3-1 (1-0)
SPAIN Casillas Puyol, Hierro (c), Nadal, Juanfran (Romero 82’) Luis Enrique (Helguera 74’), Baraja, Valerón, De Pedro Raúl, Tristán (Morientes 67’) COACH: José Antonio Camacho			SLOVENIA Simeunovič Milinovič, Galič, Knavs Novak (Gajser 77’), A. Čeh (c), Pavlin, Zahovič (Ačimovič 63’), Karič Rudonja, Osterc (Cimirotič 57’) COACH: Srečko Katanec
GAME SUMMARY Spain were unconvincing yet again in their debut in a World Cup (they hadn’t won an opening game since 1950), but they were too good for a hardworking but unexceptional Slovenian side. The Slovenes dominated during the first quarter, when the Spanish midfield hadn’t yet adjusted the markings and the defense had problems to hold the wingers, but Casillas saved from Knavs and Zahovič. Eventually, Spain started to dominate the game as the all-terrain Luis Enrique became a constant threat for the Slovenian defense. Two free kicks from De Pedro came near the post. In minute 34, Raúl headed a center by De Pedro, but Simeunovič saved it. Finally, just before halftime, Luis Enrique battled through the Slovenian defense and Raúl held the loose ball long enough for Aleš Čeh’s tackle to slide past, then prodded it between Milinovič’s legs past the unsighted keeper. In the second half, Slovenia were more combative but never really competitive. The performance of Zahovič, their star in Euro 2000, was a continuation of his poor season with Benfica, and he vented his frustration when substituted by swearing at his coach (later, this incident will earn him the expulsion from the team). The Spanish players continued attacking, but exposed themselves to the Slovenian counterattacks. In one of the, in minute 64, they claimed a penalty for a foul on Cimirotič, but the Moroccan referee considered that the striker had feigned it and booked him. Then Valerón extended the Spanish advantage when he scored his first international goal by sliding in a cross shot after a long center from De Pedro. Cimirotič, more mobile than the big static Osterc, pulled one back for Slovenia after a one-two with Ačimovič, but near the end Gajser fouled Morientes in the area and Hierro secured the Spanish victory from the penalty spot.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Niigata Sutajiamu “Biggu Suwan” — Niigata Stadium “Big Swan” (Niigata) DATE: 3-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 32.239 REFEREE: Lù Jùn (CHN) GOALS: 0-1 (Blanco [p.] 60’) [Incidents: Živković was sent off (min. 59).]
		Croatia - Mexico
		0-1 (0-0)
CROATIA Pletikosa Tomas, R. Kovač, Šimunić, Jarni Živković, Prosinečki (Rapajić 46’), N. Kovač, Soldo Šuker (c) (Šarić 64’), Bokšić (Stanić 67’) COACH: Mirko Jozić			MEXICO Pérez Mercado, Márquez (c), Vidrio, Carmona Torrado, Morales, Caballero, Luna Borgetti (Hernández 68’), Blanco (Palencia 79’) COACH: Javier Aguirre
GAME SUMMARY A clean contest between two average teams was decided by one good move, when Borgetti’s backheel found Blanco and he was brought down by Živković for the penalty. The Croatian player was sent off and Cuauhtémoc Blanco converted from the spot the only goal of the game. The heat and humidity during the match visibly affected the Croatians: three of their old figures were replaced (Prosinečki, Šuker, Bokšić), and the other, Jarni, had lost his famous speed and couldn’t make his forward runs in these climatic conditions. This was the last international game in the career of Davor Šuker and Robert Prosinečki.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Munsu Chukku Gyeonggijang — Munsu Football Stadium (Ulsan) DATE: 3-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 33.842 REFEREE: Kim Young-joo (SKR) GOALS: 0-1 (Hasan Şaş 45+’); 1-1 (Ronaldo 50’); 2-1 (Rivaldo [p.] 87’) [Incidents: Alpay (min. 86) and Hakan Ünsal (min. 90+) were both sent off.]
		Brazil - Turkey
		2-1 (0-1)
BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Edmílson, Roque Júnior Cafu (c), Gilberto Silva, Juninho P. (Vampeta 72’), Roberto Carlos Rivaldo, Ronaldo (Luizão 73’), Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Denílson 67’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari			TURKEY Rüştü Fatih, Alpay, Ümit Özat, Yıldıray (Ümit Davala 66’), Hakan Ünsal Bülent (İlhan 66’), Tugay (Arif 88'), Emre Belözoğlu, Hasan Şaş Hakan Şükür (c) COACH: Şenol Güneş
GAME SUMMARY An overconfident Brazilian team was surprised by Turkey in the first half. Tugay’s free kick took a deflection off Gilberto Silva and brushed the top of the bar, and although Rüştü made important saves, Turkey deserved their halftime lead. They had to wait until injury time to take it, when Yıldıray shaped to shoot from the right and instead pitched a superb angled pass to the left, where Hasan Şaş took advantage of Cafu’s usual absence to meet the bouncing ball and volley his first international goal. In the second half, Brazil raised the level of their game, and even without reaching any summit, they dominated this period. Although Ronaldo’s pace seemed to be gone forever, he was still dangerous with the ball in his feet. His trademark foot-over-the-ball trick had already made a headed chance for Rivaldo; now he stretched to reach the latter’s curling cross from the left and volleyed it down into the ground and up over the keeper’s hand for the equalizer. Meanwhile Ronaldinho (originally known in Brazil as “Ronaldinho Gaúcho,” in order to differentiate him from Ronaldo, who was usually called “Ronaldinho” in his country) had been living up to the hype around him. Even toothier than Ronaldo, his flair and dribbling troubled the Turkish defense. On the hour, Rivaldo had a headed goal ruled out for offside, and although Roque Júnior was lucky he wasn’t spotted pulling Hakan Şükür’s shirt in the Brazilian penalty area, Turkey’s captain was having a mare and hardly saw the ball during the game. Just when the Turks seemed able to hold out till the end, Rüştü spoiled a fine performance with a poor clearance kick straight to Luizão, and Alpay made the mistake of pulling his shirt outside the penalty area but not releasing it until the Brazilian attacker had fallen inside. The referee rightly expelled the Turkish player, because he was the last defender, but committed the gross mistake of turning a clear free kick (2-3 meters outside the area) into a penalty, which Rivaldo converted to make Brazil’s winner. In injury time, the match was polluted by Rivaldo’s collapse, holding his face and rolling around on the ground when Hakan Ünsal kicked the ball against his leg. The Korean referee then addded to his collection of mistakes by expelling the Turkish player and not even booking Rivaldo for his play-acting. The scandalous refereeing of Mr. Kim provoked clashes between Brazilian and Turkish fans after the match, and Rivaldo only received a minor fine (part of FIFA’s clampdown on simulation).

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Sapporo Domu “Hiroba” — Sapporo Dome “Square” (Sapporo) DATE: 3-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 31.081 REFEREE: Brian Hall (USA) GOALS: 1-0 (Vieri 7’); 2-0 (Vieri 27’)
		Italy - Ecuador
		2-0 (2-0)
ITALY Buffon Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini (c) Zambrotta, Di Biagio (Gattuso 69’), Tommasi, Doni (Di Livio 64’) Totti (Del Piero 74’), Vieri COACH: Giovanni Trapattoni			ECUADOR Cevallos De la Cruz, Hurtado, Porozo, Guerrón E. Tenorio (M. Ayoví 59’), Obregón, Méndez, C. Chalá (Asencio 85’) Aguinaga (c) (C. Tenorio 46’), Delgado COACH: Hernán Gómez
GAME SUMMARY After the disappointment of Euro 2000, Italy had again a powerful team, with the best goalkeeper and defense in the world, Totti to make the play and Vieri back in the team. Cevallos had already dived at Vieri’s feet and Cannavaro had been flattened by Edwin Tenorio’s punch in the Ecuadorian penalty area by the time Totti’s run and cross allowed Vieri to sidefoot the ball imperiously high inside the near post. Then Di Biagio hit a long ball for Vieri to brush off Hurtado, shoot against the underside of the keeper’s leg, and follow up almost unnecessarily as the rebound bounced toward goal. The 2-0 was more than enough for the Italians, who sat back and counter-attacked in time-honored fashion. Vieri was left increasingly isolated, but it hardly mattered against such a harmless team as Ecuador. Delgado, leading scorer in the South American qualifiers, had lost match sharpness after a knee injury, and the veteran playmaker Aguinaga couldn’t cope with the Italian tackling, which won the ball without conceding fouls most of the time. Totti, in his first game for two months after an injury, was surprisingly fit and sharp and at the heart of every attacking move. In the second half, Doni hit the bar with a raised foot (hurting the keeper), but the Italian job had been done by then.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Gwangju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Gwangju World Cup Stadium (Gwangju) DATE: 4-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 27.217 REFEREE: Kyros Vassaras (GRE) GOALS: 0-1 (Ronald Gómez 61’); 0-2 (Wright 65’)
		China - Costa Rica
		0-2 (0-0)
CHINA Jiāng Jīn Xú Yúnlóng, Fàn Zhìyì (Yú Gēnwĕi 74’), Wú Chéngyīng Sūn Jìhăi (Qū Bō 26’), Lĭ Tiĕ, Lĭ Xiăopéng, Mă Míngyŭ (c), Lĭ Wĕifēng Yáng Chén (Sù Màozhēn 66’), Hăo Hăidōng COACH: Bora Milutinović			COSTA RICA Lonnis (c) Luis Marín, Wright, Gilberto Martínez Wallace (Bryce 70’), Solís, Centeno, Carlos Castro Fonseca (Medford 57’), Wanchope (Wílmer López 80’), R. Gómez COACH: Alexandre Guimarães
GAME SUMMARY In another hot game played at the peak temperature of the Korean early evening, China and Costa Rica struggled under the sun. In the second half, when it cooled down a little bit, a clever short pass from Ronald Gómez took out three defenders, the 36-year-old Medford (a hero of 1990) forced a good block by Xú Yúnlóng, and the former thumped the loose ball high into the net. Then Ronald Gómez again received a short corner on the left and twisted back to the goal line; Yáng Chén didn’t defend that option even though Gómez was completely left-footed, and his near-post cross was met by Wright with a glancing header across the keeper. Earlier, Wanchope should have had a penalty when Wú Chéngyīng mistimed a challenge and kicked him in the calf. China had grown up lately, but they were not ready yet for the high competition and exposed their traditional drawbacks: faulty communication between players (heads down after the goals, no talking), lack of leadership (which even an expert coach as Bora Milutinović couldn’t instill), no long balls to mix with the short passing, and no cutting edge up front.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Saitama Sutajiamu 2002 — Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama) DATE: 4-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 55.256 REFEREE: William Mattus (CRC) GOALS: 0-1 (Wilmots 57’); 1-1 (Suzuki 59’); 2-1 (Inamoto 67’); 2-2 (Van der Heyden 75’) [Incidents: Several Japanese players dyed their hair in different colors for the occasion: Toda (red), Matsuda (chestnut), Suzuki (bronze), Inamoto (yellowish bronze), Narazaki (reddish brown), Hidetoshi Nakata (burnt sienna), Morioka (something vaguely pale).]
		Japan - Belgium
		2-2 (0-0)
JAPAN Narazaki Matsuda, Morioka (c) (Miyamoto 71’), K. Nakata, Ono (Alex 64’) H. Nakata, Inamoto, Toda, Ichikawa Suzuki (Morishima 68’), Yanagisawa COACH: Philippe Troussier			BELGIUM De Vlieger Van Meir, Peeters, Van der Heyden, Van Buyten Simons, Walem (Sonck 68’), Verheyen (Strupar 83’), Vanderhaeghe Wilmots (c), Goor COACH: Robert Waseige
GAME SUMMARY Japan started full of running and hasty passes, though it was only a matter of time before Belgium’s power in the air paid off, Wilmots scoring with an overhead kick. But Belgium’s first defensive error cost them the equalizer: Van der Heyden left a long ball down the middle and Suzuki stretched to get there before De Vlieger and push it just inside the post. Then Inamoto won the ball, ran on for a pass, beat Van Meir on the left on the edge of the area, and finished with a strong left-footer as the keeper went down a fraction early. Belgium were wilting now, but Van der Heyden atoned for his previous mistake by scoring his first goal for Belgium, running in from deep to touch a volley over Narazaki. In the final minutes, Inamoto had a goal disallowed for his foul on Van der Heyden, and Sonck should have had a penalty for a trip by Koji Nakata. The other Nakata (Hidetoshi) showed some touches of class, but was generally disappointing again. The aggressive Toda made some important tackles.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Asiad Ju Gyeonggijang — Asiad Main Stadium (Busan) DATE: 4-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 48.760 REFEREE: Óscar Julián Ruiz (COL) GOALS: 1-0 (Hwang Sun-hong 26’); 2-0 (Yoo Sang-chul 53’) [Incidents: The Korean captain Hong Myung-bo became the first player from outside Europe and the Americas to participate in four World Cup finals (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002).]
		South Korea - Poland
		2-0 (1-0)
SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Choi J.C., Hong M.B. (c), Lee E.Y. Song J.G., Kim T.Y., Yoo S.C. (Lee C.S. 61’), Kim N.I. Park J.S., Hwang S.H. (Ahn J.H. 50’), Sul K.H. (Cha D.R. 89’) COACH: Guus Hiddink			POLAND Dudek Hajto, J. Bąk (Kłos 50’), Michał Żewłakow, Wałdoch (c) Koźmiński, Kałużny (Marcin Żewłakow 64’), Świerczewski, Krzynówek Żurawski (Kryszałowicz 46’), Olisadebe COACH: Jerzy Engel
GAME SUMMARY With almost everyone wearing a national team shirt, the whole stadium of Busan looked like an oversized red flag, and the hosts were encouraged by this support from their fans to try to get their first victory in the final stage of a World Cup. Poland’s big and heavy men were run ragged by the South Koreans, who were as madcap as ever but more accustomed to the heat. After Krzynówek shot wide when put clear in the second minute, Poland lost control of the midfield, and Hwang Sun-hong opened the score when he was left unmarked to volley in at the near post. Yoo Sang-chul had a goal disallowed for offside before he won the ball and beat a man to score the second with a powerful shot which bent Dudek’s hands. Meanwhile the Nigeria-born Olisadebe, who had scored eight goals during the qualifying round, hardly saw the ball in this game.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Uingu Sutajiamu — Wing Stadium (Kobe) DATE: 5-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 30.957 REFEREE: Peter Prendergast (JAM) GOALS: 1-0 (Titov 59’); 2-0 (Karpin [p.] 64’)
		Russia - Tunisia
		2-0 (0-0)
RUSSIA Nigmatullin Solomatin, Nikiforov, Onopko (c), Kovtun Karpin, Titov, Izmajlov (Alenichev 78’), Semshov (Khokhlov 46’) Pimenov, Beschastnykh (Sychjov 55’) COACH: Oleg Romantsev			TUNISIA Boumnijel Mkacher, Bouazizi, Bouzaiène, Jaïdi, Trabelsi Gabsi (Baya 67’), Badra (Zitouni 84’), Ben Achour Jaziri, Sellimi (c) (Mhedhebi 67’) COACH: Ammar Souayah
GAME SUMMARY Beschastnykh was disappointing in this game, but his 18-year-old replacement galvanized the Russian play. Sychjov nearly scored with a lob from a tight angle and won a penalty (converted by Karpin) when Jaïdi’s shoulder got in his way. Another penalty might have been given to Russia when Boumnijel caught Pimenov in the back of the head, and his poor throw-out led to Titov scoring the first goal with a low cross shot. The Russian veterans in central defense, Nikiforov and Onopko, looked as if they might struggle against better teams.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Suwon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Suwon World Cup Stadium (Suwon) DATE: 5-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.306 REFEREE: Byron Moreno (ECU) GOALS: 1-0 (O’Brien 4’); 2-0 (Jorge Costa [o.g.] 30’); 3-0 (McBride 36’); 3-1 (Beto 39’); 3-2 (Agoos [o.g.] 71’)
		USA - Portugal
		3-2 (3-1)
USA Friedel Sanneh, Pope (Llamosa 80’), Agoos, Hejduk Stewart (c) (Cobi Jones 46’), Mastroeni, O'Brien, Beasley Donovan (Moore 75’), McBride COACH: Bruce Arena			PORTUGAL Vítor Baía Beto, F. Couto (c), J. Costa (J. Andrade 74’), R. Jorge (P. Bento 69’) Figo, Petit, Rui Costa (Nuno Gomes 80’), Sérgio Conceição João Pinto, Pauleta COACH: António Oliveira
GAME SUMMARY After winning the World Youth Championship in 1989 and 1991, Portugal’s “golden generation” had failed to step up, but in South Korea they had a good opportunity to vindicate themselves. Their opening game against the United States was supposed to be an easy debut, but things went wrong for the Portuguese very early into the game, when O’Brien volleyed in after Vítor Baía saved a header from McBride. At the half hour, Jorge Costa headed in at the near post of his own goal, and later McBride made the third with a falling header from Sanneh’s right-wing cross. With the playmaker Rui Costa struggling to create and Figo visibly frustrated by lack of assistance, Portugal were lucky to pull one back so quickly, Beto reacting instantly when O’Brien inadvertently kicked his header straight back to him at a corner. In the second half, the ponytailed Agoos heated up the game when he volleyed a spectacular own goal from Pauleta’s cross. But the young Donovan and Beasley ran well with the ball, while Figo and Sérgio Conceição did nothing on the wings, and the United States snatched an important victory.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kashima Sutajiamu — Kashima Stadium (Ibaraki) DATE: 5-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.854 REFEREE: Kim Milton Nielsen (DEN) GOALS: 1-0 (Klose 19’); 1-1 (Robbie Keane 90+’)
		Germany - Ireland
		1-1 (1-0)
GERMANY Kahn (c) Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder Schneider (Jeremies 89’), Hamann, Ballack, Frings, Ziege Jancker (Bierhoff 75’), Klose (Bode 85’) COACH: Rudi Völler			IRELAND Given Finnan, Breen, Staunton (c) (Cunningham 87’), Harte (Reid 73’) G. Kelly (Quinn 73’), Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane Duff, Robbie Keane COACH: Mick McCarthy
GAME SUMMARY Although Germany were in an obvious decline during recent years, with a lack of world-class players in their squad, they still had a strong defense and were rarely in any real danger after taking the lead in this game. When Ballack sent another of his left-wing crosses, Klose got in front of Harte to head in from right above the penalty spot, and celebrated his goal with a forward somersault in mid-air. After that, Robbie Keane missed an overhead kick from close in; Kahn threw himself in front of Duff’s point-blank volley; Given saved from Hamann; and the hulking Jancker lobbed just wide when Ballack played him in. But these were isolate incidents in a game controlled by the German midfield and defense at all time. The 21-year-old Metzelder, a find at left-back, towered constantly over Robbie Keane. However, in injury time Finnan sent a long ball from the right-back position, Quinn craned his neck for a back-header, and Keane chested it past Ramelow before blasting it in for a late equalizer.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Daegu World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daegu World Cup Stadium (Daegu) DATE: 6-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 43.500 REFEREE: Carlos Batres (GUA) GOALS: 1-0 (Tomasson [p.] 16’); 1-1 (Diao 52’) [Incidents: Diao was sent off (min. 80).]
		Denmark - Senegal
		1-1 (1-0)
DENMARK Sørensen Helveg, Henriksen, Laursen, Heintze (c) Rommedahl (Løvenkrands 89’), Tøfting, Gravesen (Poulsen 62’) Tomasson, Sand, Grønkjær (Jørgensen 50’) COACH: Morten Olsen			SENEGAL Sylva Coly, Malick Diop (c), Daf, Diatta Diao, Sarr (S. Camara 46’ (Bèye 83’)), Bouba Diop Fadiga, Diouf, Moussa N'Diaye (H. Camara 46’) COACH: Bruno Metsu
GAME SUMMARY After seeing Denmark’s approach against Uruguay, Senegal came out to match them tackle for tackle, and the game turned into a hardly-fought contest. Fadiga should have been sent off for hitting Helveg in the mouth with his forearm, and Sand was only booked for a scary sliding foul on Diao, who conceded the penalty converted by Tomasson for barging him in the back and was sent off for planting his studs on Henriksen’s shin. In between, Diao’s slick flick finished off a precise and pacy movement the length of the pitch. After the equalizer, the Danes, who had complained about the early starting time of the match, tried to keep their energy under the heat. With their wingers kept in check this time (especially Jørgensen, who couldn’t escape the dreadlocked Coly), they seemed happy enough with the draw.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Saitama Sutajiamu 2002 — Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama) DATE: 6-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 52.328 REFEREE: Terje Hauge (NOR) GOALS: 1-0 (Eto'o 66’)
		Cameroon - Saudi Arabia
		1-0 (0-0)
CAMEROON Alioum Song (c), Kalla, Tchato Geremi, Lauren, Foé, N'Gom Komé (Olembé 46’), Womé (N'Janka 84’) Eto'o, M'Boma (N'Diefi 74’) COACH: Winfried Schäfer			SAUDI ARABIA Al-Deayea (c) Al-Jahani, Zubromawi (Jamaan 72’), Al-Shehri, Tukar Al-Shahrani, Sulaimani, Al-Khathran (Noor 86’), Al-Waked, Al-Temyat Al-Dosari (Al-Yami 36’) COACH: Nasser al-Johar
GAME SUMMARY Cameroon were the reigning African and Olympic champions, but in this game they looked completely out of sorts and almost lost to a fragile Saudi team, who again made puny tackles but this time also a number of chances (Al-Dosari missed a free header after only eight minutes). Lauren had a headed goal disallowed because Eto’o was offside, but M’Boma and Eto’o were generally kept at bay. The star of the game was the slim and fragile Al-Temyat, who had looked tentative against Germany but seemed to grow in confidence during this match. A superb backheel volley put Al-Dosari clear, and Al-Temyat himself should have scored at least twice (once after a superb run). Al-Deayea was injured when Eto’o landed on his head, and didn’t do much to stop him from scoring after the Cameroonian attacker had run onto Geremi’s long ball. As in 1998, Saudi Arabia were the first team to be eliminated.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Asiad Ju Gyeonggijang — Asiad Main Stadium (Busan) DATE: 6-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.289 REFEREE: Felipe Ramos Rizo (MEX) GOALS: - [Incidents: Henry was sent off (min. 25).]
		France - Uruguay
		0-0 (0-0)
FRANCE Barthez Thuram, Leboeuf (Candela 16’), Desailly (c), Lizarazu Vieira, Petit, Wiltord (Dugarry 90+’), Micoud Henry, Trézéguet (Cissé 81’) COACH: Roger Lemerre			URUGUAY Carini Lembo, Montero (c), Sorondo, Darío Rodríguez (Guigou 73’) Varela, Romero (De los Santos 71’), Pablo García, Recoba Darío Silva (Magallanes 60’), Abreu COACH: Víctor Púa
GAME SUMMARY France’s task was hard enough without the injured Zidane, and it became even harder after Henry was rightly sent off for sliding in, studs up, on Romero’s ankle. After that, France started a battle against the clock and their own nervousness. Petit should have also been sent off for blocking and pushing Darío Silva. Desailly, Recoba and Abreu missed good chances, and Petit hit the outside of a post with a free kick taken left-footed from the right, but Wiltord was beginning to raise questions about his ability at this level. The goalless draw at the end of the game left both France and Uruguay in a difficult situation and favored Denmark and Senegal.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Uingu Sutajiamu — Wing Stadium (Kobe) DATE: 7-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 36.194 REFEREE: René Ortube (BOL) GOALS: 0-1 (Aghahowa 27’); 1-1 (Larsson 35’); 2-1 (Larsson [p.] 63’)
		Sweden - Nigeria
		2-1 (1-1)
SWEDEN Hedman Mellberg, Mjällby (c), Jakobsson, Lučić Alexandersson, Linderoth, A. Svensson (Magnus Svensson 83’) Allbäck (A. Andersson 64’), Larsson, Ljungberg COACHES: Tommy Söderberg / Lars Lagerbäck			NIGERIA Shorunmu Yobo, Babayaro (Kanu 65’), West, Okoronkwo Udeze, Okocha (c), Christopher, Ogbeche (Ikedia 70’) Aghahowa, Utaka COACH: Adegboye Onigbinde
GAME SUMMARY Sweden barely survived against a raw Nigerian team who were unlucky to be eliminated. The Africans hit the post twice: after a clearance kick by Lučić which rebounded off Mjällby’s shin, and with a low left-footer by Yobo, whose cross had earlier been headed in by Aghahowa. Sweden equalized before halftime when Larsson (his 1994 dreadlocks replaced now by a shaved head) swerved inside Okoronkwo. In the second half, Larsson again was pulled back by Udeze in the Nigerian area, and he converted his second goal from the penalty spot. Christopher kicked Mjällby’s header off the line, Mjällby kicked Utaka’s shot off the line, and a draw would have been fairer to everyone.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Jeonju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeonju World Cup Stadium (Jeonju) DATE: 7-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 24.000 REFEREE: Gamal el-Ghandour (EGY) GOALS: 0-1 (Puyol [o.g.] 10’); 1-1 (Morientes 53’); 2-1 (Morientes 69’); 3-1 (Hierro [p.] 83’)
		Spain - Paraguay
		3-1 (0-1)
SPAIN Casillas Puyol, Hierro (c), Nadal, Juanfran Luis Enrique (Helguera 46’), Baraja, Valerón (Xavi 85’), De Pedro Raúl, Tristán (Morientes 46’) COACH: José Antonio Camacho			PARAGUAY Chilavert (c) Arce, Ayala, Gamarra, Cáceres, Caniza (Struway 78’) Gavilán, Acuña, Paredes Santa Cruz, Cardozo (Campos 63’) COACH: Cesare Maldini
GAME SUMMARY Spain became the first team to qualify for the next stage of the tournament after a hardly-fought victory against Paraguay. The South Americans started the game pressing and fighting for every ball, whereas the Spaniards looked imprecise and out of the game. When Paraguay took the lead after Casillas pushed Arce’s shot onto Puyol’s foot and the Spanish defender scored an own goal, they abandoned their attacking intentions and established a deadlock which Spain was unable to break (not a single shot to the goal defended by the overweighted Chilavert in this period). Camacho made two substitutions at halftime which changed the game completely. Helguera took control of the midfield and the ball started to circulate at a higher speed, whereas the dynamic Morientes brought panic to the Guaraní defense with his movements without the ball and his sense of collective game. The Real Madrid’s attacker came on to head in a corner from around the penalty spot to equalize the game, then bundled in the second goal when Chilavert flapped at De Pedro’s cross. The Paraguayan goalkeeper tried to make amends for his mistake with a free kick saved by Casillas. Near the end, Hierro converted a penalty after Raúl was held while trying to turn Paredes.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Sapporo Domu “Hiroba” — Sapporo Dome “Square” (Sapporo) DATE: 7-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.927 REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (ITA) GOALS: 0-1 (Beckham [p.] 44’)
		Argentina - England
		0-1 (0-1)
ARGENTINA Cavallero Pochettino, Samuel, Placente Zanetti, Simeone, Verón (c) (Aimar 46’), Ortega, Sorín Batistuta (Crespo 60’), “Kily” González (Claudio López 64’) COACH: Marcelo Bielsa			ENGLAND Seaman Mills, Campbell, Ferdinand, A. Cole Beckham (c), Butt, Hargreaves (Sinclair 19’), Scholes Owen (Bridge 80’), Heskey (Sheringham 56’) COACH: Sven-Göran Eriksson
GAME SUMMARY In a World Cup classic, England saught revenge for their traumatic elimination in 1998 (perhaps even for Maradona’s “hand of God” in 1986) and achieved it by a very defensive performance which faced Argentina down in their areas of strength. Eriksson, who knew very well Verón, Simeone, Crespo and Claudio López from his time as coach of Lazio, decided to station Scholes on the left wing to stop the Argentinian attacks from the right, position in which he’d probably have been lost as an attacking force. Luckily for England, the early injury of Hargreaves after a collision with Owen allowed Sinclair to come in and take care of the Argentinian right wing, so that Scholes could go back to his normal position as playmaker. The English defense completely asfixiated Verón (who had to be replaced at halftime). Butt was in his element as a holding player, Batistuta got no change out of Campbell and Ferdinand, Ashley Cole survived against Ortega, and Owen was a constant threat for the Argentinian defense. The little Liverpool attacker hit a post, shot wide after rolling Placente, and was fouled by Pochettino for the penalty on the brink of halftime. Beckham converted from the spot and seemed to redeem himself for his expulsion against Argentina in 1998. In the second half, England controlled the game as Argentina became more and more frustrated.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Daegu World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daegu World Cup Stadium (Daegu) DATE: 8-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 47.226 REFEREE: Ángel Osvaldo Sánchez (ARG) GOALS: 1-0 (Nomvethe 4’) [Incidents: In minute 52, the Slovenian head coach, Srečko Katanec, was sent off for persistent verbal abuse of the fourth official.]
		South Africa - Slovenia
		1-0 (1-0)
SOUTH AFRICA Arendse Nzama, Radebe (c), A. Mokoena, Carnell Zuma, Sibaya, Fortune (Pule 84’), T. Mokoena Nomvethe (Buckley 71’), McCarthy (Koumantarakis 80’) COACH: Jomo Sono			SLOVENIA Simeunovič Milinovič, Vugdalič, Knavs (Bulajič 60’) Novak, A. Čeh (c), Pavlin, Ačimovič (N. Čeh 60’), Karič Rudonja, Cimirotič (Osterc 41’) COACH: Srečko Katanec
GAME SUMMARY A match as poor as everyone expected was settled by an early goal worth of it. Fortune’s free kick from the left found Nomvethe unmarked, and although he missed his attempt at a downward header, the ball went in off his thigh. With Zahovič, the most talented Slovenian player, back home after allegedly coming to blows with his coach in the hotel following his substitution against Spain, the Europeans struggled in the heat and made no real chances to equalize, while McCarthy missed two at the other end.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kashima Sutajiamu — Kashima Stadium (Ibaraki) DATE: 8-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 36.472 REFEREE: Graham Poll (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Vieri 55’); 1-1 (Olić 73’); 1-2 (Rapajić 76’)
		Italy - Croatia
		1-2 (0-0)
ITALY Buffon Panucci, Nesta (Materazzi 24’), Cannavaro, Maldini (c) Doni (Inzaghi 79’), Tommasi, Zanetti, Zambrotta Totti, Vieri COACH: Giovanni Trapattoni			CROATIA Pletikosa Šarić, R. Kovač, Šimunić, Jarni (c) N. Kovač, Tomas, Soldo (Vranješ 62’), Vugrinec (Olić 57’) Rapajić (Šimić 79’), Bokšić COACH: Mirko Jozić
GAME SUMMARY Italy looked superior to Croatia for most of the match, especially when Vieri, after having his left knee bandaged at halftime, came from well behind his marker to dive and head a goal from Zambrotta’s volleyed flick-on. Within five minutes, Vieri again was hanging in the air to head Doni’s cross over the keeper. But this time the Italian retreat into defense turned into a Croatian siege, allowing Vugrinec, Rapajić and Bokšić to pose problems with their movements. Doni looked lost as Totti’s creative assistant, and Maldini didn’t go forward at all, leaving Italy with no width on the left. Vieri could have made it 2-0 if he hadn’t blazed high and wide when a deflected long ball put him clear, but a minute later Olić came from behind three defenders to touch Jarni’s cross across Buffon. The game went crazy then for Italy, as within two minutes Materazzi almost conceded a goal after getting in a tangle with Maldini on the left touchline, and then Rapajić’s volley spun off his leg and sailed over Buffon for the second Croatian goal. Italy kept trying till the end. When Totti took a free kick, the ball passed behind the keeper after hitting the near post, and in injury time Inzaghi was controversially penalized for linking arms with Šimić as Materazzi’s 60-meter chip bounced all the way in.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Jeju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeju World Cup Stadium (Seogwipo) DATE: 8-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 36.750 REFEREE: Anders Frisk (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Roberto Carlos 15’); 2-0 (Rivaldo 32’); 3-0 (Ronaldinho Gaúcho [p.] 45’); 4-0 (Ronaldo 55’)
		Brazil - China
		4-0 (3-0)
BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Ânderson Polga, Roque Júnior Cafu (c), Juninho P. (Ricardinho 70’), Gilberto Silva, Roberto Carlos Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Denílson 46’), Rivaldo, Ronaldo (Edílson 72’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari			CHINA Jiāng Jīn Xú Yúnlóng, Dù Wēi, Wú Chéngyīng, Lĭ Wĕifēng Lĭ Tiĕ, Lĭ Xiăopéng, Mă Míngyŭ (c) (Yáng Pŭ 62’), Zhào Jùnzhé Qí Hóng (Shào Jiāyī 66’), Hăo Hăidōng (Qū Bō 75’) COACH: Bora Milutinović
GAME SUMMARY Brazil found not opposition this time, and the Chinese wall cracked under the weight of the Brazilian stars. The first bite summed up China’s defense: when Roberto Carlos smashed a straight shot past their wall, it was the first time he’d scored direct from a free kick since his classic goal against France in 1997. The unsighted Jiāng Jīn was probably grateful he wasn’t sighted. Ronaldinho was booked for diving when his shirt was pulled in the Chinese penalty area, and Rivaldo missed an open goal before sliding in front of the keeper to put in a cross by Ronaldinho, who scored from the penalty spot on the brink of halftime when Lĭ Wĕifēng added to the epidemic of shirt-pulling in this competition by dragging Ronaldo back after he’d beaten two men. In the second half, Cafu made an open goal for Ronaldo, who hardly saw the ball in the first half. Chinese players, in spite of their preparation and fitness (they didn’t stop running during all the game), were still playing mostly in domestic clubs and looked light years from the top competition. Shào Jiāyī added a little flair and Zhào Jùnzhé hit a post with a fierce shot on the hour, but even Milutinović’s alchemy didn’t work on this team: this was his fifth finals tournament (a record) and the first one in which he failed to reach the next round.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Miyagi Sutajiamu — Miyagi Stadium (Miyagi) DATE: 9-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 45.610 REFEREE: Mourad Daami (TUN) GOALS: 0-1 (Delgado 5’); 1-1 (Borgetti 28’); 2-1 (Torrado 57’)
		Mexico - Ecuador
		2-1 (1-1)
MEXICO Pérez Vidrio, Márquez (c), Carmona, Arellano Torrado, Morales, J. Rodríguez (Caballero 87’), Luna Blanco (Mercado 90+’), Borgetti (Hernández 77’) COACH: Javier Aguirre			ECUADOR Cevallos De la Cruz, Hurtado (c), Porozo, Guerrón E. Tenorio (M. Ayoví 35’), Obregón (Aguinaga 58’), Méndez, C.Chalá Kaviedes (C. Tenorio 53’), Delgado COACH: Hernán Gómez
GAME SUMMARY After Pérez had pushed Delgado’s header in off bar and post, Ecuador lost the midfield, wasting Carlos Tenorio’s speed and allowing Torrado to run the game. Borgetti equalized from Morales’ near-post cross, and in the second half Torrado scored the winner from outside the penalty area. After this win, Mexico were already qualified for the next stage.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Munhak Gyeonggijang — Literary Stadium (Incheon) DATE: 9-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 42.299 REFEREE: Coffi Codjia (BEN) GOALS: 0-1 (Emre Belözoğlu 56’); 1-1 (Parks 86’)
		Costa Rica - Turkey
		1-1 (0-0)
COSTA RICA Lonnis (c) Wallace (Bryce 77’), Gilberto Martínez, Wright, Luis Marín Solís, Wílmer López (Parks 77’), Centeno (Medford 66’), C. Castro Ronald Gómez, Wanchope COACH: Alexandre Guimarães			TURKEY Rüştü Ümit Davala, Fatih, Ümit Özat, Emre Aşık Ergün, Tugay (Arif 88’), Yıldıray (Nihat 79’), Emre Belözoğlu Hasan Şaş, Hakan Şükür (c) (İlhan 75’) COACH: Şenol Güneş
GAME SUMMARY Turkey seemed to be on a downer after their controversial game with Brazil, and Costa Rica’s tackling didn’t help them up. Hasan Şaş was stretched off for a while when his leg was trodden on by Wright, who also used his forearm on the back of Tugay’s head. Criticized by his coach for not punching his weight against Brazil, Hakan Şükür missed two good chances within a minute early in the second half. Turkey were just starting to lose the midfield when the chunky Emre Belözoğlu rolled the rebound just inside the near post after his first shot had been blocked by Gilberto Martínez. But again the Turkish defense conceded a very late goal, when the 20-year-old Parks hit a left-foot volley after the ball had been lobbed away from Rüştü. There was still enough time for Parks to miss an open goal after going past the keeper, and Emre Belözoğlu to be booked for pushing a member of the Costa Rican coaching staff in his hurry to get the ball back. After the draw, Turkey was left in need of a helping hand from Brazil in the last game to qualify.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kokusai Sogo Kyogijo — International Stadium (Yokohama) DATE: 9-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 66.108 REFEREE: Markus Merk (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Inamoto 51’) [Incidents: After the game, some serious riots took place in Moscow: two people were killed, many were injured (including five Japanese students) and vehicles were set on fire.]
		Japan - Russia
		1-0 (0-0)
JAPAN Narazaki Miyamoto (c), Matsuda, K. Nakata Myojin, Toda, H. Nakata, Inamoto (Fukunishi 85’), Ono (Hattori 75’) Yanagisawa, Suzuki (Nakayama 72’) COACH: Philippe Troussier			RUSSIA Nigmatullin Solomatin, Onopko (c), Nikiforov, Kovtun Karpin, Smertin (Beschastnykh 57’), Titov, Izmajlov (Khokhlov 52’) Semshov, Pimenov (Sychjov 46’) COACH: Oleg Romantsev
GAME SUMMARY Russia sent some clever short passes into the penalty area, but Japan defended well and lasted the pace better. Early into the second half, Inamoto’s quick feet and workrate allowed him to reach Yanagisawa’s superb cushioned touch for the only goal of the game. Solomatin should have had a penalty when Toda grabbed him by the neck. Beschastnykh, the Russian record goalscorer, missed terribly less than one minute after coming on when he went beyond the keeper before slicing the ball into the side netting. An improving Hidetoshi Nakata hit the bar with a handsome long-range shot.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Daegu World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daegu World Cup Stadium (Daegu) DATE: 10-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 60.778 REFEREE: Urs Meier (SWI) GOALS: 0-1 (Mathis 24’); 1-1 (Ahn Jung-hwan 78’) [Incidents: Lee Eul-yong missed a penalty shot (min. 39), saved by Friedel.]
		South Korea - USA
		1-1 (0-1)
SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Kim T.Y., Hong M.B. (c), Choi J.C. Lee E.Y., Kim N.I., Yoo S.C. (Choi Y.S. 69’), Song J.G. Sul K.H., Hwang S.H. (Ahn J.H. 56’), Park J.S. (Lee C.S. 38’) COACH: Guus Hiddink			USA Friedel Hejduk, O'Brien, Reyna (c), Agoos Beasley (Lewis 75’), McBride, Donovan, Sanneh Pope, Mathis (Wolff 83’) COACH: Bruce Arena
GAME SUMMARY South Korea showed their usual all-out pace, but their definition in front of goal was poor and the American goal seemed to deflate them. When O’Brien’s through-ball found Mathis unmarked, he brought the ball down well and hit an excellent low volley to open the score. Choi Jin-chul was lucky not to give away a penalty for pulling Beasley’s shirt, and South Korea needed all of Hong Myung-bo’s experience at the back. Before halftime, Agoos conceded a penalty by using his forearm on Hwang Sun-hong. Lee Chun-soo put the ball on the spot, but the kick was taken by Lee Eul-yong, whose mild shot was saved by Friedel. In the second half, the USA were content to hold on to their lead, but Reyna couldn’t connect with the attackers and eventually South Korea’s possession paid off, when the lively Ahn Jung-hwan headed in a free kick controversially awarded for Donovan’s tackle on Lee Eul-yong.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Oita Sutajiamu “Biggu Ai” — Oita Stadium “Big Eye” (Oita) DATE: 10-06-2002 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 39.700 REFEREE: Mark Shield (AUS) GOALS: 0-1 (Wilmots 13’); 1-1 (Bouzaiène 17’) [Incidents: The 28-year-old Mark Shield became the youngest referee to officiate in a World Cup finals match since 1934.]
		Tunisia - Belgium
		1-1 (1-1)
TUNISIA Boumnijel Badra (c), Trabelsi, Bouzaiène, Jaïdi Gabsi (Sellimi 67’), Ghodhbane, Bouazizi, Ben Achour, Melki (Baya 88’) Jaziri (Zitouni 77’) COACH: Ammar Souayah			BELGIUM De Vlieger Deflandre, De Boeck, Van der Heyden, Van Buyten Simons (Mpenza 74’), Goor, Verheyen (Sonck 46’), Vanderhaeghe Strupar (Vermant 46’), Wilmots (c) COACH: Robert Waseige
GAME SUMMARY Wilmots opened the score when he volleyed in low from close range after Vanderhaeghe headed the ball back, but Bouzaiène equalized soon after with a free kick. Deflandre should have conceded a penalty for a foul on Melki immediately afterward, then the sticky heat took over again. Strupar was invisible in the first half, Sonck limped throughout. Jaïdi was clumsy at times, but at least added some height and presence at the back. Ghodhbane nearly scored an excellent goal by volleying just wide, and Sonck or Wilmots would have headed in a right-wing cross if both of them hadn’t gone for it at the same time.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Jeonju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeonju World Cup Stadium (Jeonju) DATE: 10-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 31.000 REFEREE: Hugh Dallas (SCO) GOALS: 1-0 (Pauleta 14’); 2-0 (Pauleta 65’); 3-0 (Pauleta 77’); 4-0 (Rui Costa 88’)
		Portugal - Poland
		4-0 (1-0)
PORTUGAL Vítor Baía Frechaut (Beto 63’), Jorge Costa, Fernando Couto (c), Rui Jorge Paulo Bento, Petit, Sérgio Conceição (Capucho 69’), Figo João Pinto (Rui Costa 60’), Pauleta COACH: António Oliveira			POLAND Dudek Michał Żewłakow (Rząsa 71’), Hajto, Wałdoch (c), Koźmiński Kałużny (A. Bąk 16’), Kryszałowicz, Krzynówek, Świerczewski Olisadebe, Żurawski (Marcin Żewłakow 56’) COACH: Jerzy Engel
GAME SUMMARY The steady rain that fell at the start soon became torrential, but if Poland were grateful for the cooler temperature, their big central defenders didn’t enjoy the slippery surface. Pauleta cut inside Hajto and scored the first of his three goals at the near post. Leaving out Rui Costa, Portugal benefited from Figo’s improvement in the second half. Poland were unlucky that the hefty Kryszałowicz had a goal disallowed when Vítor Baía simply dropped the ball. Then Olisadebe, short on determination as well as service, gave the ball away, and Figo’s low cross was put in by Pauleta as Koźmiński pulled the top of his shirt. Figo hit a post, Vítor Baía saved from Kryszałowicz, and Pauleta completed his hat-trick after cutting inside again. In the last minutes, Rui Costa broke away to slide in a right-wing cross from Capucho, then should have made it 5-0 after going round the keeper. After this defeat Poland, who had been the first European team to qualify for the World Cup, were the first to go out.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Munhak Gyeonggijang — Literary Stadium (Incheon) DATE: 11-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 48.100 REFEREE: Vítor Manuel Melo Pereira (POR) GOALS: 1-0 (Rommedahl 22’); 2-0 (Tomasson 67’)
		Denmark - France
		2-0 (1-0)
DENMARK Sørensen Helveg, Henriksen (c), Laursen, N. Jensen Rommedahl, Tøfting (Nielsen 79’), Gravesen, Poulsen (Bøgelund 76’) Jørgensen (Grønkjær 46’), Tomasson COACH: Morten Olsen			FRANCE Barthez Candela, Thuram, Desailly (c), Lizarazu Vieira (Micoud 71’), Makélélé, Zidane Wiltord (Djorkaeff 83’), Trézéguet, Dugarry (Cissé 54’) COACH: Roger Lemerre
GAME SUMMARY In a last and desperate attempt to qualify for the next stage, France prematurely brought back the injured Zidane, despite not being fully fit (he played with his left thigh strapped), but could not prevent being ignominiously eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal. After Rommedahl arrived unmarked to volley in Tøfting’s delicate cross from the right, Denmark concentrated on contesting the midfield. In the second half, Tomasson ran past Desailly to put in Grønkjær’s left-wing cross and kill the last French hopes. France became the first defending champion since 1966 to be eliminated before the second stage, and the first to go out without scoring a goal. It is also true that they had no luck in key moments, as when Desailly and Trézéguet hit the bar in the second half.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Suwon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Suwon World Cup Stadium (Suwon) DATE: 11-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 33.681 REFEREE: Jan Wegereef (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Fadiga [p.] 20’); 2-0 (Bouba Diop 26’); 3-0 (Bouba Diop 38’); 3-1 (Morales 46’); 3-2 (Forlán 69’); 3-3 (Recoba [p.] 88’)
		Senegal - Uruguay
		3-3 (3-0)
SENEGAL Sylva Coly (Bèye 63’), Malick Diop, Diatta, Daf N'Dour (Faye 76’), Cissé (c), Bouba Diop, Fadiga H. Camara (Moussa N'Diaye 67’), Diouf COACH: Bruno Metsu			URUGUAY Carini Lembo, Montero (c), Sorondo (Regueiro 32’) Romero (Morales 46’), Varela, Pablo García, Darío Rodríguez, Recoba Darío Silva, Abreu (Forlán 46’) COACH: Víctor Púa
GAME SUMMARY Needing only a draw to qualify at Uruguay’s expense, Senegal were again aggressive from the start, collecting two yellow cards in the first four minutes. There were eventually twelve yellow cards in this game, and the two penalties were won by preposterous dives from Diouf and Morales. After Fadiga opened the score from the penalty spot, Bouba Diop made it 3-0 before halftime with two more goals from Henri Camara’s crosses, the first one a square pass from the left after breaking a tackle near halfway, the second one a cross from the right. Needing an unlikely four goals in the second half to qualify, Uruguay came very close to achieve it after two halftime substitutions which changed everything. Just sixteen seconds within the second half, the Uruguayans pulled one back when Sylva saved from Darío Silva and Morales netted in the rebound. Then Forlán chested the ball down and volleyed superbly from outside the area to come even closer in the score. Near the end, Morales earned a penalty and Recoba scored the equalizer from the spot. In injury time, Varela’s very long low shot was headed up in the air by Diatta and Morales missed a header which could have put Uruguay into the next stage.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Sutajiamu “Ekopa” — Stadium “Ecopa” (Shizuoka) DATE: 11-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 47.085 REFEREE: Antonio Jesús López Nieto (SPA) GOALS: 0-1 (Bode 50’); 0-2 (Klose 79’) [Incidents: Ramelow (min. 40) and Suffo (min. 77) were both sent off. The Spanish referee set a new record in the history of the World Cup, with the highest number of cards in a final stage game: as many as 16 yellow cards and 2 red cards.]
		Cameroon - Germany
		0-2 (0-0)
CAMEROON Alioum Tchato (Suffo 53’), Womé, Song (c), Kalla Geremi, Lauren, Foé, Olembé (N'Gom Komé 64’) Eto'o, M'Boma (Job 80’) COACH: Winfried Schäfer			GERMANY Kahn (c) Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder Schneider (Jeremies 80’), Frings, Ballack, Hamann, Ziege Klose (Neuville 84’), Jancker (Bode 46’) COACH: Rudi Völler
GAME SUMMARY Cameroon’s tackling had been strong but clean in their two previous matches, but they lost their composure toward the end and engaged with Germany in a booking fight: sixteen yellow cards were shown (a finals record) to fourteen different players, and two of them (Ramelow and Suffo) were sent off. The wet pitch might have contributed to the tacklings, but in general Germany and Cameroon were more than aggressive. The African team had their chances in this game: Olembé broke through early but then virtually passed the ball to Kahn, Song headed wide when left unmarked at a free kick, and Lauren hit the post with a header. Early into the second half, Cameroon gave the ball away in midfield and Klose sent a through-ball for Bode to open the score. Then Alioum didn’t come off his line as Klose went up for Ballack’s cross, and the German attacker scored his fifth headed goal in the competition.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kokusai Sogo Kyogijo — International Stadium (Yokohama) DATE: 11-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 65.320 REFEREE: Falla N’Doye (SEN) GOALS: 0-1 (Robbie Keane 7’); 0-2 (Breen 61’); 0-3 (Duff 87’)
		Saudi Arabia - Ireland
		0-3 (0-1)
SAUDI ARABIA Al-Deayea (c) Al-Jahani (Dokhi 79’), Tukar, Zubromawi (Jamaan 68’), Al-Shehri Al-Shahrani, Sulaimani, Al-Khathran (Al-Shalhoub 67’), Al-Owairan Al-Temyat, Al-Yami COACH: Nasser al-Johar			IRELAND Given Finnan, Breen, Staunton (c), Harte (Quinn 46’) G. Kelly (McAteer 80’), Holland, Kinsella (Carsley 89’), Kilbane Robbie Keane, Duff COACH: Mick McCarthy
GAME SUMMARY The weather conditions seemed to favor the Irish (wind and steady rain instead of the usual breathless oven of the Korean stadiums), and Robbie Keane opened the score early after some poor marking allowed him to hit a low volley. But as the first half went on, Ireland began to lose the midfield, and Saudi Arabia might have been given a penalty when Holland pulled Sulaimani’s shirt in the Irish area. Eventually, Breen lunged to volley in Staunton’s free kick, and Ireland had the game (and qualification) in their hands. Near the end, Al-Deayea fumbled a shot that was hit straight at him, and Duff netted the rebound.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Miyagi Sutajiamu — Miyagi Stadium (Miyagi) DATE: 12-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 45.777 REFEREE: Ali Mohammed Bujsaim (UAE) GOALS: 1-0 (A. Svensson 59’); 1-1 (Crespo 88’) [Incidents: Caniggia was sent off from the bench (min. 45+). Ortega missed a penalty shot (min. 88), saved by Hedman, although Crespo picked up the deflected ball and scored for Argentina.]
		Sweden - Argentina
		1-1 (0-0)
SWEDEN Hedman Mellberg, Mjällby (c), Jakobsson, Lučić Linderoth, Alexandersson, A. Svensson (Jonson 68’), Ma. Svensson Larsson (Ibrahimović 88’), Allbäck (A. Andersson 46’) COACHES: Tommy Söderberg / Lars Lagerbäck			ARGENTINA Cavallero Chamot, Pochettino, Samuel Zanetti, Almeyda (Verón 63’), Sorín (Kily González 63’), Ortega, Aimar Batistuta (c) (Crespo 58’), Claudio López COACH: Marcelo Bielsa
GAME SUMMARY Argentina needed to win their last game to ensure qualification, and the match was absolutely dripping with tension. The South Americans made the only chances in the first half, Claudio López twice shooting just wide, Sorín coming close with two headers. But when Almeyda fouled Anders Svensson in the second half, Cavallero could only palm his 30-meter free kick into the side netting. Then Almeyda hammered a cross against his own keeper, and Cavallero tipped Andreas Andersson’s shot onto a post. Near the end, Argentina was given a penalty. Hedman saved Ortega’s shot from the spot, but Crespo’s follow-up (which should have been disallowed for encroachment) made the equalizer.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Nagai Rikujo Kyogijo — Nagai Stadium (Osaka) DATE: 12-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 44.864 REFEREE: Brian Hall (USA) GOALS: -
		Nigeria - England
		0-0 (0-0)
NIGERIA Enyeama Sodje, Okoronkwo, Udeze, Yobo Christopher, Obiorah, Okocha (c), Aghahowa Akwuegbu, Opabunmi (Ikedia 86’) COACH: Adegboye Onigbinde			ENGLAND Seaman Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A. Cole (Bridge 85') Beckham (c), Butt, Scholes, Sinclair Heskey (Sheringham 69'), Owen (Vassell 77') COACH: Sven-Göran Eriksson
GAME SUMMARY In a very hot early evening game, England conserved energy by keeping possession of the ball and hitting on the break. The 19-year-old Enyeama did well to touch Scholes’ 30-meter shot onto a post. Aghahowa and Okocha were the only stars in a very young Nigerian team (Ogbeche and Opabunmi were only 17).

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Daejeon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daejeon World Cup Stadium (Daejeon) DATE: 12-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 31.024 REFEREE: Saad Kamel Mane (KUW) GOALS: 0-1 (Raúl 4’); 1-1 (McCarthy 31’); 1-2 (Mendieta 45+’); 2-2 (Radebe 53’); 2-3 (Raúl 56’)
		South Africa - Spain
		2-3 (1-2)
SOUTH AFRICA Arendse Nzama, Radebe (c) (Molefe 80’), A. Mokoena, Carnell Zuma, Sibaya, T. Mokoena, Fortune (Lekgetho 83’) Nomvethe (Koumantarakis 74’), McCarthy COACH: Jomo Sono			SPAIN Casillas Curro Torres, Nadal (c), Helguera, Romero Joaquín, Xavi, Albelda (Sergio 53’), Mendieta Raúl (Luis Enrique 82’), Morientes (Luque 77’) COACH: José Antonio Camacho
GAME SUMMARY Spain qualified for the next stage as group winners after their third win in three games, and did it with their key first-choice players in defense and midfield resting for the next match. South Africa, needing a draw to qualify, was soon trailing after a shocking error by Arendse, who collected an easy through-ball and then simply let it slip out for Raúl (who appeared to kick it out of his hands) to calmly push it in with his left foot. With an early lead, Spain started to dominate the game, with Xavi and Albelda controlling the midfield doing what they both can do best: the former creating and the second destroying. A very active Joaquín was a constant threat on the right wing, and Spain looked likely to add to their lead with new chances by Mendieta and Morientes. However, a minute after Morientes’ strong header had brought a fine reaction save from Arendse, Casillas didn’t come out in time and McCarthy stretched to put in Nomvethe’s header back across goal from Fortune’s left-wing cross. However, Arendse gave Spain another helping hand in injury time of the first half, when Mendieta took a free kick and the South African goalkeeper positioned himself directly behind the wall, leaving his left side completely open. The African team didn’t give up in the second half, and Radebe equalized after heading in a corner in which he found himself completely ummarked in the second post following a defensive mismatch (added to the fact that Camacho introduced a substutution during the corner, making the Spanish defense miss one man during the kick). Lucky for Spain, three minutes after the South African equalizer Raúl got behind Radebe to head in a right-wing cross from Joaquín for the winner. Arendse’s fine save denied Luque a goal in the first minute of his international debut, but by then South Africa were already hoping for a favor from Slovenia against Paraguay.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Jeju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeju World Cup Stadium (Seogwipo) DATE: 12-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 30.176 REFEREE: Felipe Ramos Rizo (MEX) GOALS: 1-0 (Ačimovič 45+’); 1-1 (Cuevas 65’); 1-2 (Campos 73’); 1-3 (Cuevas 84’) [Incidents: The Slovenian head coach, Srečko Katanec, was banned in this game and didn’t sit on the bench. Paredes (min. 22) and Nastja Čeh (min. 81) were both sent off.]
		Slovenia - Paraguay
		1-3 (1-0)
SLOVENIA Dabanovič Bulajič, Milinovič, Tavčar, Karič Novak, A. Čeh (c), Pavlin (Rudonja 40'), Ačimovič (N. Čeh 62') Cimirotič, Osterc (Tiganj 77') COACH: Srečko Katanec			PARAGUAY Chilavert (c) Arce, Gamarra, Ayala, Cáceres, Caniza Acuña, Paredes, Alvarenga (Campos 53') Santa Cruz, Cardozo (Cuevas 61' (Franco 90+')) COACH: Cesare Maldini
GAME SUMMARY Paraguay needed a win and a South African defeat against Spain to qualify, and things seemed more difficult for them after Paredes was sent off midway the first half. Just before halftime, Ačimovič dribbled up the right and put in a low cross which went in off Chilavert. In the second half, with half an hour to go, the odds were all against Paraguay, as they were playing with only ten men and needed to score two more goals (which would have been three if Ačimovič hadn’t hit the angle of post and crossbar from long range). But the Paraguayan substitutions in this period changed the game completely. Cuevas cut in from the right and hit a low shot inside the near post for the equalizer. After Gamarra deflected Osterc’s cross onto his own bar, Campos scored with a low cross-shot from the left. With equal numbers after Nastja Čeh was sent off for sliding in, foot high, on Arce, Cuevas stepped inside two men before hammering a left-footer into the top corner. Even Chilavert came as close as he ever would to scoring in the finals, but Dabanovič touched his free kick onto the bar.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Suwon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Suwon World Cup Stadium (Suwon) DATE: 13-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.524 REFEREE: Gamal el-Ghandour (EGY) GOALS: 0-1 (Ronaldo 10’); 0-2 (Ronaldo 13’); 0-3 (Edmílson 38’); 1-3 (Wanchope 39’); 2-3 (Ronald Gómez 56’); 2-4 (Rivaldo 62’); 2-5 (Júnior 64’) [Incidents: Although the first Brazilian goal is officially credited to Ronaldo, it was clearly an own goal by Luis Marín.]
		Costa Rica - Brazil
		2-5 (1-3)
COSTA RICA Lonnis (c) Wallace (Bryce 46’), Gilberto Martínez (Parks 74’), Wright, Luis Marín Solís (Fonseca 65’), Centeno, Wílmer López, Carlos Castro Ronald Gómez, Wanchope COACH: Alexandre Guimarães			BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Ânderson Polga, Edmílson Cafu (c), Juninho Paulista (Ricardinho 61’), Gilberto Silva, Júnior Edílson (Kléberson 57’), Ronaldo, Rivaldo (Kaká 72’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari
GAME SUMMARY Needing a draw to qualify, Costa Rica pulled back to 3-2 after being 3-0 down and might even have won if they hadn’t missed a whole string of chances or Marcos hadn’t made some good saves. Wanchope hit the bar and had a shot kicked off the line by Ânderson Polga, whereas Ronald Gómez should have scored from a corner instead of heading over. Eventually, Wanchope’s shot went in off Lúcio after he’d exchanged passes with Wright, and Ronald Gómez scored with a diving header at the far post. On the other side, Brazil also missed their share of chances. Rivaldo volleyed over an empty net and hit a post with a free kick, Ronaldo also hit a post and should have had two penalties. The five Brazilian goals came all after attacking up the left wing: Júnior stabbed the ball in low and Ronaldo barely touched it sideways before Luis Marín lunged in to bulldoze it past his own keeper; then Ronaldo twisted to shoot in low from a near-post corner to make the second goal; Edmílson applied a kind of half-overhead to a deflected cross for the 3-0; in the second half, after the Costa Ricans had pulled two back, Rivaldo extended the Brazilian lead by sweeping in a ball from Júnior; finally, Júnior (whose play was reminiscent of the 1982 Brazilian left-back with the same name) finished the Brazilian scoring by running clear, controlling the ball instantly and shooting inside the near post.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Seoul World Cup Gyeonggijang — Seoul World Cup Stadium (Seoul) DATE: 13-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 43.605 REFEREE: Óscar Julián Ruiz (COL) GOALS: 1-0 (Hasan Şaş 6’); 2-0 (Bülent 9’); 3-0 (Ümit Davala 85’) [Incidents: Shào Jiāyī was sent off (min. 58).]
		Turkey - China
		3-0 (2-0)
TURKEY Rüştü (Ömer 35’) Ümit Davala, Emre Aşık, Bülent, Hakan Ünsal Fatih, Tugay (Tayfur 84’), Emre Belözoğlu, Yıldıray (İlhan 70’) Hasan Şaş, Hakan Şükür (c) COACH: Şenol Güneş			CHINA Jiāng Jīn (c) Xú Yúnlóng, Dù Wēi, Lĭ Wĕifēng, Wú Chéngyīng (Shào Jiāyī 46’) Lĭ Xiăopéng, Yáng Pŭ, Lĭ Tiĕ, Zhào Jùnzhé Hăo Hăidōng (Qū Bō 73’), Yáng Chén (Yú Gēnwĕi 73’) COACH: Bora Milutinović
GAME SUMMARY The Turkish early goals ensured there would be no slip-up against the bottom team, who could otherwise have offered a harder opposition in the second half with their fitness under the Korean heat. Hasan Şaş thrashed the ball over Jiāng Jīn after Lĭ Wĕifēng let it bounce off him, and Bülent’s looping header was touched in by Hakan Şükür after it crossed the line. China, eliminated without scoring a single goal, was unlucky enough to hit a post again (this time through Yáng Chén’s massive first-time volley). Shào Jiāyī was shown a straight red card for catching Emre Belözoğlu with his studs. Near the end, Ümit Davala (cutting a distinctive figure on the pitch with his mohican haircut) converted a Hasan Şaş’ long cross from the left with a low volley. Even the criticized Hakan Şükür almost scored, his high header bringing a good save from Jiāng Jīn.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Kokusai Sogo Kyogijo — International Stadium (Yokohama) DATE: 13-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 65.862 REFEREE: William Mattus (CRC) GOALS: 1-0 (Méndez 48’)
		Ecuador - Croatia
		1-0 (0-0)
ECUADOR Cevallos De la Cruz, Hurtado (c), Porozo, Guerrón Méndez, Obregón (Aguinaga 40’), M. Ayoví, Cléver Chalá C. Tenorio (Kaviedes 76’), Delgado COACH: Hernán Gómez			CROATIA Pletikosa Šarić (Stanić 68’), R. Kovač, Šimunić, Jarni (c) Tomas, Šimić (Vugrinec 52’), N. Kovač (Vranješ 59’), Olić Rapajić, Bokšić COACH: Mirko Jozić
GAME SUMMARY After their victory over Italy, Croatia were expected to beat Ecuador easily and qualify for the next stage. However, although Bokšić clipped the outside of a post in the first half, they simply didn’t make enough chances, and Ecuador took one well, Méndez volleying in Delgado’s knock-down. Olić’s sharp header hit Aguinaga on the line, but by then Croatia needed to score two goals to qualify.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Oita Sutajiamu “Biggu Ai” — Oita Stadium “Big Eye” (Oita) DATE: 13-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 39.291 REFEREE: Carlos Eugênio Simon (BRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Borgetti 34’); 1-1 (Del Piero 85’)
		Mexico - Italy
		1-1 (1-0)
MEXICO Pérez Vidrio, Márquez (c), Carmona J. Rodríguez (Caballero 76’), Torrado, Morales (R. García 76’), Luna Arellano, Blanco, Borgetti (Palencia 80’) COACH: Javier Aguirre			ITALY Buffon Panucci (Coco 63’), Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini (c) Zambrotta, Zanetti, Tommasi Totti (Del Piero 78’), Inzaghi (Montella 55’), Vieri COACH: Giovanni Trapattoni
GAME SUMMARY The stress of the game affected the Italian players from the start against a Mexican team who were already qualified. The Central Americans kept the ball waiting for their chance, which came when Borgetti got in front of Maldini to score with a crafty glancing header across the keeper. Italy then started to struggle. Cannavaro made a vital block from Borgetti and kicked off the line when Blanco and the dangerous Arellano interpassed through the defense. But even though Italy grew visibly desperate, Totti kept on piercing the Mexican defense, his through-passes leading to an early disallowed goal by Inzaghi and bad misses by Inzaghi again and Vieri. Montella’s lob was also ruled out and the Italians began to suspect the gods of fortune were not on their side this time. But near the end Montella hooked in a volleyed cross that bounced in the penalty area, and Del Piero ran through to head it in for the equalizer. At the end of the game, Italy were relieved after hearing the news coming from the other group game, as Ecuador’s win over Croatia sent them through.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Sutajiamu “Ekopa” — Stadium “Ecopa” (Shizuoka) DATE: 14-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 46.640 REFEREE: Kim Milton Nielsen (DEN) GOALS: 1-0 (Walem 7’); 1-1 (Beschastnykh 52’); 2-1 (Sonck 78’); 3-1 (Wilmots 82’); 3-2 (Sychjov 88’)
		Belgium - Russia
		3-2 (1-0)
BELGIUM De Vlieger De Boeck (Van Meir 90+’), Van Kerckhoven, Peeters, Van Buyten Goor, Walem, Verheyen (Simons 78’), Vanderhaeghe Wilmots (c), Mpenza (Sonck 70’) COACH: Robert Waseige			RUSSIA Nigmatullin Kovtun, Nikiforov (Sennikov 43’), Onopko (c), Smertin (Sychjov 34’) Solomatin, Karpin (Kerzhakov 82’), Titov, Alenichev Beschastnykh, Khokhlov COACH: Oleg Romantsev
GAME SUMMARY The Belgians took an early lead when Walem curled a free kick inside the side netting. In the second half, Beschastnykh made amends for his poor performance in the tournament by putting in the rebound when De Vlieger saved at Sychjov’s feet. But just when Belgium were facing the possibility of drawing their sixth finals match in a row and be eliminated without losing one for the second World Cup in a row, Sonck headed in a corner. Then Wilmots’ shot took a deflection off Onopko for the third Belgian goal, and Sychjov’s goal came too late to matter.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Nagai Rikujo Kyogijo — Nagai Stadium (Osaka) DATE: 14-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 45.213 REFEREE: Gilles Veissière (FRA) GOALS: 0-1 (Morishima 48’); 0-2 (H. Nakata 75’)
		Tunisia - Japan
		0-2 (0-0)
TUNISIA Boumnijel Trabelsi, Jaïdi, Badra (c), Clayton (Mhedhebi 61’) Melki (Baya 46’), Bouazizi, Bouzaiène (Zitouni 78’), Ghodhbane Ben Achour, Jaziri COACH: Ammar Souayah			JAPAN Narazaki Myojin, Matsuda, Miyamoto (c), K. Nakata Toda, H. Nakata (Ogasawara 84’), Inamoto (Ichikawa 46’), Ono Suzuki, Yanagisawa (Morishima 46’) COACH: Philippe Troussier
GAME SUMMARY Even against a weaker side, Japan again couldn’t score until the second half (by which time even the Japanese were taking on water due to the heat). Morishima opened the scoring when Bouzaiène’s sliding tackle sent the ball square across the penalty area. Then Hidetoshi Nakata’s diving header hit Boumnijel’s heel on its way between his legs for the second. Morishima almost scored a great goal when his diving header hit the base of a post. Jaïdi did well again, and Zitouni volleyed against the bar near the end, but Trabelsi’s runs from right-back were Tunisia’s only attacking threat, and he should have had a penalty when Toda fouled him in the Japanese area.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Daejeon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daejeon World Cup Stadium (Daejeon) DATE: 14-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 26.482 REFEREE: Lù Jùn (CHN) GOALS: 1-0 (Olisadebe 3’); 2-0 (Kryszałowicz 5’); 3-0 (Marcin Żewłakow 66’); 3-1 (Donovan 83’) [Incidents: Żurawski missed a penalty shot (min. 67), saved by Friedel.]
		Poland - USA
		3-1 (2-0)
POLAND Majdan Kłos (Wałdoch 89’), Głowacki, Zieliński (c) Krzynówek, Murawski, Koźmiński, Kucharski (Marcin Żewłakow 65’) Kryszałowicz, Olisadebe (Sibik 86’), Żurawski COACH: Jerzy Engel			USA Friedel Sanneh, Pope, Agoos (Beasley 36’), Hejduk Donovan, O'Brien, Reyna (c), Stewart (Cobi Jones 68’) Mathis, McBride (Moore 58’) COACH: Bruce Arena
GAME SUMMARY Poland’s meaningless revival wasn’t enough to knock the USA out, even though by the end of the game the Americans were waiting anxiously for news from the other match. Within the first five minutes, the Poles had already scored two goals, one when Olisadebe thrashed a bouncing ball in off the bar, the other when Kryszałowicz sidefooted a near-post cross. In the second half, Marcin Żewłakow made it 3-0 just one minute after his substitution with a header from a corner. Almost immediately Sanneh tripped the persevering Kryszałowicz in the American area, but Friedel blocked Żurawski’s spot kick. Donovan (who’d had a goal correctly disallowed for a shoulder charge) volleyed in a Mathis’ header to score a consolation goal for the USA. Agoos finished his unfortunate tournament by pulling a leg muscle, which kept him out of the knock-out stage.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Munhak Gyeonggijang — Literary Stadium (Incheon) DATE: 14-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 50.239 REFEREE: Ángel Osvaldo Sánchez (ARG) GOALS: 0-1 (Park Ji-sung 70’) [Incidents: João Pinto (min. 27) and Beto (min. 66) were both sent off.]
		Portugal - South Korea
		0-1 (0-0)
PORTUGAL Vítor Baía Beto, Fernando Couto (c), Jorge Costa, Rui Jorge (Abel Xavier 73’) Paulo Bento, Petit (Nuno Gomes 77’), Sérgio Conceição, Figo João Pinto, Pauleta (Jorge Andrade 69’) COACH: António Oliveira			SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Choi J.C., Kim T.Y., Hong M.B. (c), Lee Y.P. Kim N.I., Yoo S.C., Song J.G., Park J.S. Sul K.H., Ahn J.H. (Lee C.S. 90+’) COACH: Guus Hiddink
GAME SUMMARY As it turned out, a draw would have been enough for Portugal to qualify, but they were handicapped by two expulsions, the heat and the continuing weariness of Figo, who was marked out of it by Song Jong-gook. In the first half, João Pinto was shown a straight red card for a foul on Park Ji-sung, and Fernando Couto might have gone with him after holding the referee by the face. Sul Ki-hyun had a goal disallowed when Vítor Baía was nudged by Choi Jin-chul. In the second half, Beto received a second yellow card when he tried to pull out of a tackle but caught Lee Young-pyo with his knee. Soon after the second Portuguese sending-off, Park Ji-sung chested the ball down, flipped it up inside Sérgio Conceição with his right foot, then volleyed in between Vítor Baía’s legs with his left foot. In a frantic finish, Nuno Gomes missed an easy chance in front of the keeper, and Ahn Jung-hwan might have scored twice on the break.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Jeju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeju World Cup Stadium (Seogwipo) DATE: 15-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.176 REFEREE: Carlos Batres (GUA) GOALS: 1-0 (Neuville 88’) BOOKED: Schneider (35'), Baumann (71'), Ballack (90+') / Acuña (26'), Cardozo (50'), Acuña (RC 90+') [Incidents: Acuña was sent off (min. 90+).]
		Germany - Paraguay
		1-0 (0-0)
GERMANY Kahn (c) Rehmer (Kehl 46'), Frings, Linke, Metzelder (Baumann 60') Schneider, Jeremies, Bode, Ballack Neuville (Asamoah 90+'), Klose COACH: Rudi Völler			PARAGUAY Chilavert (c) Arce, Ayala, Cáceres, Gamarra, Caniza Bonet (Gavilán 84'), Acuña, Struway (Cuevas 90+') Santa Cruz (Campos 29'), Cardozo COACH: Cesare Maldini
GAME SUMMARY The match was staged on the rather inaccesible island of Jeju, hence the small crowd. In a quite tedious game, Germany and Paraguay were excessively cautious and kept giving the ball away. An injury to Santa Cruz prevented Paraguay from exploiting the suspensions of Hamann and Ziege, so Kahn could keep another clean sheet. Just when both teams started to get ready for extra-time, Schneider crossed from the right and Neuville smacked a near-post half-volley across the keeper. In injury time, Acuña was sent off for elbowing Ballack in the face. Chilavert’s latest attempt to score from a free kick was unsuccessful, as the ball went over the bar.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Niigata Sutajiamu “Biggu Suwan” — Niigata Stadium “Big Swan” (Niigata) DATE: 15-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 40.582 REFEREE: Markus Merk (GER) GOALS: 0-1 (Ferdinand 5’); 0-2 (Owen 22’); 0-3 (Heskey 44’) BOOKED: Tøfting (24') / Mills (50') [Incidents: Although the first English goal is officially credited to Ferdinand, it was actually the Danish goalkeeper who pushed the ball into his own goal while he tried to grab it.]
		Denmark - England
		0-3 (0-3)
DENMARK Sørensen Helveg (Bøgelund 7’), Henriksen (c), Laursen, N. Jensen Rommedahl, Tøfting (C. Jensen 58’), Gravesen, Grønkjær Tomasson, Sand COACH: Morten Olsen			ENGLAND Seaman Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A. Cole Beckham (c), Butt, Scholes (Dyer 49’), Sinclair Owen (Fowler 46’), Heskey (Sheringham 69’) COACH: Sven-Göran Eriksson
GAME SUMMARY Impressive so far, Denmark squandered almost immediately most of their chances in this game when Laursen’s wayward header conceded a left-wing corner which Beckham hit to the far post, where Ferdinand tried to head the ball sideways, but it was Sørensen who failed to clutch it to his chest, dropped it and let it cross the line. Then Owen turned and scored the second when Butt’s flick was deflected into his path by Gravesen. Just before halftime, Heskey’s shot skidded through Sørensen when Beckham squared the ball after an error by Niclas Jensen. The second half had no history, as England easily controlled the game to qualify for the next round.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Oita Sutajiamu “Biggu Ai” — Oita Stadium “Big Eye” (Oita) DATE: 16-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 39.747 REFEREE: Ubaldo Aquino (PAR) GOALS: 1-0 (Larsson 11’); 1-1 (H. Camara 37’); 1-2 (H. Camara [Golden Goal] 104’) BOOKED: Coly (73'), Thiaw (94')
		Sweden - Senegal
		1-2 (1-1;1-1)
SWEDEN Hedman Mellberg, Mjällby (c), Jakobsson, Lučić A. Svensson, Alexandersson (Ibrahimović 76’), Linderoth Larsson, Allbäck (A. Andersson 65’), Magnus Svensson (Jonson 99’) COACHES: Tommy Söderberg / Lars Lagerbäck			SENEGAL Sylva Coly, Malick Diop (Bèye 66’), Cissé (c), Daf Diatta, Faye, Thiaw, Bouba Diop Diouf, H. Camara COACH: Bruno Metsu
GAME SUMMARY After Larsson headed in a corner for the opener, Sweden massed in defense trying to keep their advantage till the end, but they couldn’t stop Henri Camara from scoring two exceptional goals, both of them with a ground shot after beating a man. Bouba Diop had a goal disallowed for a fractional offside. The tall and talented Ibrahimović wasted two opportunities in a minute. In extra-time, when the “Golden Goal” rule applied, Sweden were witness of the cruelly slim difference between success and failure, when Anders Svensson’s fantastic turn opened the way for a ferocious shot against a post, and then Henri Camara brought the game to an end when his shot hit another post, but this time went in.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Suwon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Suwon World Cup Stadium (Suwon) DATE: 16-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.926 REFEREE: Anders Frisk (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Morientes 8’); 1-1 (Robbie Keane [p.] 90’) BOOKED: Juanfran (62'), Baraja (87'), Hierro (89') PK: 0-1 (Robbie Keane); 1-1 (Hierro) / 1-1 (Holland [out]); 2-1 (Baraja) / 2-1 (Connolly [saved]); 2-1 (Juanfran [out]) / 2-1 (Kilbane [saved]); 2-1 (Valerón [out]) / 2-2 (Finnan); 3-2 (Mendieta) [Incidents: Harte missed a penalty shot (min. 69), saved by Casillas.]
		Spain - Ireland
		1-1 (1-0;1-1) (pk: 3-2)
SPAIN Casillas Puyol, Hierro (c), Helguera, Juanfran Luis Enrique, Baraja, Valerón, De Pedro (Mendieta 66’) Raúl (Luque 80’), Morientes (Albelda 72’) COACH: José Antonio Camacho			IRELAND Given Finnan, Breen, Staunton (c) (Cunningham 50’), Harte (Connolly 82’) G. Kelly (Quinn 55’), Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane Duff, Robbie Keane COACH: Mick McCarthy
GAME SUMMARY Once Morientes had beaten Breen in the air and scored with a strong glancing header at the near post, Spain kept plenty of men back in defense, outnumbering the Irish attackers, and used clever angles to move the ball quickly through midfield to connect with their mobile and dangerous attackers (Luis Enrique and Raúl had goals disallowed for offside). Just one minute after halftime, Morientes could have made the second goal for Spain, but his shot was saved by Given. McCarthy introduced the towering Quinn and Ireland started to be dangerous in the air. Midway the second half, Ireland won a penalty when Duff dived in a challenge with Juanfran, who barely touched him. Casillas easily saved Harte’s kick, and Kilbane volleyed the rebound wide of a virtually empty net. Raúl should have won a penalty for Spain when he was brought down by Breen, but this time the referee didn’t see any foul (although the Spanish attacker had to be replaced). But just when the Spanish qualification for the next stage looked a reality, Hierro pulled Quinn’s shirt in the area and the referee called for another penalty (clear this time). Robbie Keane left Casillas standing from the spot, and the game went into extra-time. With the three substitutions already made, an injury to Albelda made him miss this period, so Spain had to play the additional half hour with only ten men (which became nine when another injury left Luis Enrique as an almost useless player up front). With both teams too exhausted to try and score a “Golden Goal,” the penalty shoot-out came as a natural consequence. Then Casillas saved two shots and Spain won their first penalty shoot-out in the World Cup to qualify for quarterfinals.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Jeonju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Jeonju World Cup Stadium (Jeonju) DATE: 17-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 36.380 REFEREE: Vítor Manuel Melo Pereira (POR) GOALS: 0-1 (McBride 8’); 0-2 (Donovan 65’) BOOKED: Vidrio (37'), Hernández (67'), Blanco (70'), García Aspe (81'), Carmona (84'), Márquez (RC 88') / Pope (26'), Mastroeni (47'), Wolff (50'), Berhalter (53'), Friedel (83') [Incidents: In a similar way to Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986, in minute 55 Berhalter deflected the ball with his fist inside the American area, but neither the referee nor the linesman called for what seemed a clear penalty shot. Márquez was sent off (min. 88).]
		Mexico - USA
		0-2 (0-1)
MEXICO Pérez Vidrio (Mercado 46’), Márquez (c), Carmona, Arellano Torrado (G. Aspe 78’), Morales (Hernández 28’), J. Rodríguez, Luna Blanco, Borgetti COACH: Javier Aguirre			USA Friedel Sanneh, Pope, Berhalter Mastroeni (Llamosa 90+’), O'Brien, Lewis, Reyna (c), Donovan Wolff (Stewart 59’), McBride (Cobi Jones 79’) COACH: Bruce Arena
GAME SUMMARY The USA played with great determination to overcome a disappointing Mexican team and secure a place in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930. Starting the game as favorites, Mexico enjoyed the majority of the possession, but their tension increased when the USA scored in their first move upfield. The goal was the product of a great teamwork: Reyna broke down the right-hand side and beat two Mexican players before passing to Wolff, who laid the ball off for a completely unmarked McBride to strike home from close range. Mexico then tried to push forward. Morales missed the target after cutting inside from the right, while Blanco and Torrado forced saves from Friedel. But the Mexicans were otherwise struggling to impose themselves on the match, and didn’t have the pace to unsettle a defense in which Reyna played very well as a wing-back. With Hernández’s intelligent movement up front, Mexico had more options in attack and Blanco almost equalized after a nervous punch clear by Friedel. The USA, though, could have increased their lead shortly before the break, but Wolff’s shot after a clever knockdown from McBride was saved by Pérez. Mexico began the second half in determined mood and were unlucky not to equalize after 52 minutes, when Luna’s free kick was tipped by the keeper against the crossbar. Then Berhalter was very lucky not to concede a penalty after blatantly clearing a Mexican corner with his hand, but the referee didn’t spot the incident. The USA always seemed a threat on the break and doubled their lead on 65 minutes, when Lewis broke down the left-hand side, got behind his opposing full-back and whipped a dangerous cross into the box which Donovan, bursting forward form midfield, headed home. After their second goal, the United States might have improved on their lead against an increasingly ragged Mexico. O’Brien shot narrowly over, Stewart had a header saved and Donovan blazed over from short range, while Mexico could muster little except for a shot from Carmona, which Friedel saved. Near the end, in the peak of the Mexican frustration, Márquez was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Coby Jones.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Uingu Sutajiamu — Wing Stadium (Kobe) DATE: 17-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 40.440 REFEREE: Peter Prendergast (JAM) GOALS: 1-0 (Rivaldo 67’); 2-0 (Ronaldo 87’) BOOKED: Roberto Carlos (28') / Vanderhaeghe (24')
		Brazil - Belgium
		2-0 (0-0)
BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Roque Júnior, Edmílson, Roberto Carlos Cafu (c), Gilberto Silva, Juninho Paulista (Denílson 57’) Ronaldo, Rivaldo (Ricardinho 90+’), Ronaldinho G. (Kléberson 81’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari			BELGIUM De Vlieger Peeters (Sonck 72’), Simons, Van Buyten, Van Kerckhoven Mpenza, Vanderhaeghe, Walem, Goor Verheyen, Wilmots (c) COACH: Robert Waseige
GAME SUMMARY An ageing Belgian team with no flair, but also no shortage of heart and teamwork, managed to keep the three Brazilian “R” at bay. Ronaldinho Gaúcho did nothing, Rivaldo not much more, and when Ronaldo scored in a late breakaway it was virtually the first time he had touched the ball after halftime. Marcos was busier than De Vlieger, a sharper striker than Mpenza might have tilted the match the other way, and Wilmots had a goal disallowed for pushing Roque Júnior in the back when jumping. Even so, Belgium didn’t have much luck. When Rivaldo chested down and turned before volleying from outside the area, the ball was deflected beyond the keeper by Simons’ outstretched studs.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Miyagi Sutajiamu — Miyagi Stadium (Miyagi) DATE: 18-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 45.666 REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (ITA) GOALS: 0-1 (Ümit Davala 12’) BOOKED: Toda (45') / Alpay (21'), Ergün (44'), Hakan Şükür (90+')
		Japan - Turkey
		0-1 (0-1)
JAPAN Narazaki Matsuda, Miyamoto (c), K. Nakata Myojin, Toda, H. Nakata, Inamoto (Ichikawa 46’ (Morishima 86’)) Nishizawa, Alex (Suzuki 46’), Ono COACH: Philippe Troussier			TURKEY Rüştü Fatih, Bülent, Alpay, Hakan Ünsal Ümit Davala (Nihat 74’), Tugay, Yıldıray (İlhan 90’), Ergün Hakan Şükür (c), Hasan Şaş (Tayfur 85’) COACH: Şenol Güneş
GAME SUMMARY Japan conceded a headed goal from a corner, scored by Ümit Davala, then wasted all their possession by misplacing their passes and overhitting cross after cross. The Brazil-born Alex almost scored an undeserved equalizer when his free kick hit the top of a post. Hidetoshi Nakata had another poor game and Morishima came on far too late to turn the match.

1/8 FINAL
STADIUM: Daejeon World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daejeon World Cup Stadium (Daejeon) DATE: 18-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.588 REFEREE: Byron Moreno (ECU) GOALS: 0-1 (Vieri 18’); 1-1 (Sul Ki-hyun 88’); 2-1 (Ahn Jung-hwan [Golden Goal] 117’) BOOKED: Kim Tae-young (17'), Song Jong-gook (80'), Lee Chun-soo (99'), Choi Jin-chul (115') / Coco (4'), Totti (22'), Tommasi (55'), Zanetti (59'), Totti (103' > RC) [Incidents: Ahn Jung-hwan missed a penalty shot (min. 4), saved by Buffon. Totti was sent off (min. 103).]
		South Korea - Italy
		2-1 (0-1;1-1)
SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Choi J.C., Kim T.Y. (Hwang S.H. 63’), Hong M.B. (c) (Cha D.R. 83’) Kim N.I. (Lee C.S. 68’), Lee Y.P., Yoo S.C., Song J.G. Park J.S., Sul K.H., Ahn J.H. COACH: Guus Hiddink			ITALY Buffon Panucci, Iuliano, Maldini (c), Coco Zambrotta (Di Livio 72’), Tommasi, Zanetti Del Piero (Gattuso 61’), Vieri, Totti COACH: Giovanni Trapattoni
GAME SUMMARY The opening phase of the game put a damper on even the Koreans’ enthusiasm. After only four minutes, Coco pushed Yoo Sang-chul and Panucci grabbed Sul Ki-hyun like a dance partner, but Buffon saved Ahn Jung-hwan’s penalty. Then Totti hit a corner to the near post and Vieri scored with a powerful header. After that, South Korea’s rigid system made it easy for Italy to set a slower tempo and control the game. Just when qualification looked certain for the Italians, Hwang Sun-hong scooped the ball in from the right, it went just over Iuliano’s head, and a distracted Panucci let it bounce off his thigh and arm for Sul Ki-hyun to whack it low past Buffon’s left hand. Italy almost turned the match back in the very next minute, when Tommasi’s left-wing cross found Vieri racing in unmarked at the far post, but his volley in front of an open goal went wide. In extra-time, Italy were reduced to ten men after their playmaker Totti was controversially sent off for diving. Just when Italy were facing yet another penalty shoot-out (they had been eliminated from the last three World Cups in this way), Lee Young-pyo hit a high cross from deep on the left and Ahn Jung-hwan scored a “Golden Goal” with a downward header.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Sutajiamu “Ekopa” — Stadium “Ecopa” (Shizuoka) DATE: 21-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 47.436 REFEREE: Felipe Ramos Rizo (MEX) GOALS: 1-0 (Owen 23’); 1-1 (Rivaldo 45+’); 2-1 (Ronaldinho Gaúcho 50’) BOOKED: Scholes (75'), Ferdinand (86') / Ronaldinho Gaúcho (RC 57') [Incidents: Ronaldinho Gaúcho was sent off (min. 57).]
		England - Brazil
		1-2 (1-1)
ENGLAND Seaman Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A. Cole (Sheringham 80’) Beckham (c), Butt, Scholes, Sinclair (Dyer 56’) Owen (Vassell 79’), Heskey COACH: Sven-Göran Eriksson			BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Roque Júnior, Edmílson Cafu (c), Gilberto Silva, Kléberson, Roberto Carlos Ronaldo (Edílson 70’), Rivaldo, Ronaldinho Gaúcho COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari
GAME SUMMARY After taking the lead when Lúcio let a pass from Heskey bounce off his thigh for Owen to send the keeper the wrong way, England looked perfectly comfortable against a Brazilian team who had had two days’ less rest. Then everything changed in a few manic minutes around halftime. Ronaldinho’s foot-over-the-ball feint took him past Ashley Cole, and a pass to the right found Rivaldo, whose left foot sent the ball low across Seaman. After the break, Ronaldinho scored the winner with a free kick, then was sent off for a nasty foul on Mills. However, England was unable to create a single chance against a depleted team.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Munsu Chukku Gyeonggijang — Munsu Football Stadium (Ulsan) DATE: 21-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.337 REFEREE: Hugh Dallas (SCO) GOALS: 1-0 (Ballack 39’) BOOKED: Kehl (66'), Jeremies (68') / Lewis (40'), Pope (41'), Reyna (68'), Mastroeni (69'), Berhalter (70') [Incidents: The German players wore black armbands in memory of Fritz Walter, their 1954 captain, who’d died four days earlier.]
		Germany - USA
		1-0 (1-0)
GERMANY Kahn (c) Linke, Kehl, Metzelder Frings, Schneider (Jeremies 60’), Hamann, Ballack, Ziege Neuville (Bode 80’), Klose (Bierhoff 88’) COACH: Rudi Völler			USA Friedel Hejduk (Cobi Jones 65’), Sanneh, Pope, Berhalter Mastroeni (Stewart 80’), Reyna (c), Lewis, O'Brien Donovan, McBride (Mathis 58’) COACH: Bruce Arena
GAME SUMMARY In the first half Kahn saved from the talented Donovan (twice) and Lewis, but the USA, with two days’ less rest, began to flag after the break, and the runnings of Cobi Jones were never a real threat for the German defense. At the other end, Klose’s header shook the base of a post, then Ballack scored the winner with another header from Ziege’s inswinging free kick. When Frings stopped Berhalter’s shot on the line soon after halftime, the Americans claimed handball, but the German midfielder had kept his arm by his side.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Gwangju World Cup Gyeonggijang — Gwangju World Cup Stadium (Gwangju) DATE: 22-06-2002 (15:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 42.114 REFEREE: Gamal el-Ghandour (EGY) GOALS: - BOOKED: De Pedro (53'), Morientes (111') / Yoo Sang-chul (52') PK: 0-1 (Hwang Sun-hong); 1-1 (Hierro) / 1-2 (Park Ji-sung); 2-2 (Baraja) / 2-3 (Sul Ki-hyun); 3-3 (Xavi) / 3-4 (Ahn Jung-hwan); 3-4 (Joaquín [saved]) / 3-5 (Hong Myung-bo) [Incidents: A very polemic refereeing by the Egyptian Gamal el-Ghandour and the linesmen in this game, with many mistakes against Spain (unexistant offsides, uncalled penalties, and especially a disallowed goal by Morientes after a cross from Joaquín, which the linesman from Trinidad and Tobago claimed was made beyond the line, which in fact was not the case).]
		Spain - South Korea
		0-0 (0-0;0-0) (pk: 3-5)
SPAIN Casillas Puyol, Hierro (c), Nadal, Romero Joaquín, Helguera (Xavi 93’), Baraja, De Pedro (Mendieta 70’) Valerón (Luis Enrique 80’), Morientes COACH: José Antonio Camacho			SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Choi J.C., Hong M.B. (c), Kim T.Y. (Hwang S.H. 90’) Song J.G., Kim N.I. (Lee E.Y. 32’), Yoo S.C. (Lee C.S. 60’), Lee Y.P. Park J.S., Ahn J.H., Sul K.H. COACH: Guus Hiddink
GAME SUMMARY South Korea became the first Asian country to reach the semifinals of the World Cup, but it’s hard to believe the could have done it in any other place but home and after two very polemic refereeings in their last two games. Spain were short of width on the left without Pedro Munitis, but they would still have won if they had had a little more luck… and a different refereeing. South Korea were superior during the first twenty minutes of the game. Taking advantange of their fitness, they pressed Spain all over the pitch and intercepted most of their passes. Little by little, Spain got in control of the game, and in minute 27 Lee Woon-jae saved a Morientes’ header after a free kick from De Pedro. The rest of the first half was a succession of Spanish attacks, especially intense during the last five minutes. Spain continued in control of the game during the second half. In minute 50 the referee disallowed a goal by Baraja for a presumed foul before shooting. As time went on, South Korea started to shake off the Spanish domination thanks to their fitness. Near the end, Camacho decided to substitute Valerón (one of the best playmakers in the game) by Luis Enrique, and from that moment till the end Spain had two more chances (saved by Lee Woon-jae), whereas Hwang Sun-hong’s dangerous shot was saved by Casillas. In the second minute of extra-time, Morientes had a headed “Golden Goal” disallowed because the linesman decided, quite wrongly, that the ball had gone out of play before Joaquín crossed it. Then Morientes again volleyed against the far post, and new chances by Joaquín (min. 99), Morientes (min. 110) and Mendieta (min. 113) were cancelled for offside. The referee added to the Spanish frustration by calling the end of the game just before a corner kick. In the penalty shoot-out, the South Koreans had a slight advantage, as all the tied games in their league were decided from the spot. After a visibly nervous Joaquín missed his weak shot (saved by the keeper), Hong Myung-bo secured the qualification of South Korea for semifinals. Once more, Spain had to fly back home with the label of “Great Under-Achievers” in their baggage (although quite undeservedly this time).

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Nagai Rikujo Kyogijo — Nagai Stadium (Osaka) DATE: 22-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 44.233 REFEREE: Óscar Julián Ruiz (COL) GOALS: 0-1 (İlhan [Golden Goal] 94’) BOOKED: Daf (12'), Cissé (63') / Emre Belözoğlu (22'), İlhan (87')
		Senegal - Turkey
		0-1 (0-0;0-0)
SENEGAL Sylva Coly, Malick Diop, Diatta, Daf Cissé (c), Diao, Bouba Diop, Fadiga Diouf, H. Camara COACH: Bruno Metsu			TURKEY Rüştü Fatih, Bülent, Alpay, Ergün Tugay, Yıldıray, Ümit Davala, Emre Belözoğlu (Arif 91’) Hasan Şaş, Hakan Şükür (c) (İlhan 67’) COACH: Şenol Güneş
GAME SUMMARY Turkey should have won this game earlier than the “Golden Goal” in extra-time, but the match only went on as much as it did because Hakan Şükür gave his worst performance of a miserable tournament. Hesitant every time the ball came near him, he missed a very clear opportunity by letting the ball roll under his foot with only the keeper in front of him. As against France, Senegal didn’t use any substitutes, even when their attacks petered out in the second half. Then, early into the extra-time, Ümit Davala crossed from the right and İlhan arrived at the near post to score a “Golden Goal” by sweeping the ball confidently across Sylva.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: Seoul World Cup Gyeonggijang — Seoul World Cup Stadium (Seoul) DATE: 25-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 65.625 REFEREE: Urs Meier (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (Ballack 75’) BOOKED: Ballack (71'), Neuville (85') / Lee Min-sung (90+')
		Germany - South Korea
		1-0 (0-0)
GERMANY Kahn (c) Frings, Ramelow, Linke, Metzelder Schneider (Jeremies 85’), Hamann, Ballack, Bode Klose (Bierhoff 70’), Neuville (Asamoah 88’) COACH: Rudi Völler			SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Choi J.C. (Lee M.S. 56’), Hong M.B. (c) (Sul K.H. 80’), Kim T.Y. Song J.G., Lee C.S., Yoo S.C., Lee Y.P. Park J.S., Hwang S.H. (Ahn J.H. 54’), Cha D.R. COACH: Guus Hiddink
GAME SUMMARY Germany reached their seventh World Cup final with their third 1-0 win in a row an minimum energy expenditure. A good save by Kahn and another goal by Ballack was enough to eliminate an enthusiastic but still unexperienced South Korean team. Kim Tae-young (wearing a face mask for protection) kept Klose in check, and the German defense did the same with Ahn Jung-hwan, so the only goal came from the game’s one clear chance. When Neuville hit a low cross from the right, the inevitable Ballack ran in to force a save with his right foot, then put in the rebound with the other. Unfortunately for him, he’d earlier picked up a yellow card that kept him out of the final.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: Saitama Sutajiamu 2002 — Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama) DATE: 26-06-2002 (20:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 61.058 REFEREE: Kim Milton Nielsen (DEN) GOALS: 1-0 (Ronaldo 49’) BOOKED: Gilberto Silva (41') / Tugay (59'), Hasan Şaş (90')
		Brazil - Turkey
		1-0 (0-0)
BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Edmílson, Roque Júnior, Roberto Carlos Cafu (c), Kléberson (Belletti 85’), Gilberto Silva, Rivaldo Edílson (Denílson 75’), Ronaldo (Luizão 68’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari			TURKEY Rüştü Fatih, Bülent, Alpay, Ümit Davala (Mustafa 74’) Emre Belözoğlu (İlhan 62’), Tugay, Ergün, Yıldıray (Arif 88’) Hasan Şaş, Hakan Şükür (c) COACH: Şenol Güneş
GAME SUMMARY Instead of being up for the game, out for revenge after their controversial defeat against Brazil in their opening match, Turkey looked intimidated. Attacking in waves, Brazil missed several chances to make the game safe, and once again Rüştü was instrumental with saves from Cafu, Ronaldo and Edílson, but he should have kept out the shot that won the game. Surrounded by defenders on the left-hand corner of the area, Ronaldo toe-poked the ball across the keeper, who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out of the bottom corner. Near the end, Hakan Şükür finally connected with the ball, but Marcos had no great problems with his hooked volley. İlhan missed with a header but otherwise didn’t do much against a tenacious defense.

PLACES 3-4
STADIUM: Daegu World Cup Gyeonggijang — Daegu World Cup Stadium (Daegu) DATE: 29-06-2002 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 63.483 REFEREE: Saad Kamel Mane (KUW) GOALS: 1-0 (Hakan Şükür 1’); 1-1 (Lee Eul-yong 9’); 2-1 (İlhan 13’); 3-1 (İlhan 32’); 3-2 (Song Jong-gook 90+’) BOOKED: Tugay (50'), Rüştü (83') / Lee Eul-yong (23') [Incidents: Hakan Şükür scored the fastest goal in the history of the World Cup finals, only 11 seconds after kick-off.]
		Turkey - South Korea
		3-2 (3-1)
TURKEY Rüştü Ümit Davala (Okan 76’), Fatih, Bülent, Alpay Tugay, Emre Belözoğlu (Hakan Ünsal 41’), Ergün İlhan, Hakan Şükür (c), Yıldıray (Tayfur 86’) COACH: Şenol Güneş			SOUTH KOREA Lee W.J. Song J.G., Lee M.S., Hong M.B. (c) (Kim T.Y. 46’) Lee E.Y. (Cha D.R. 65’), Yoo S.C., Lee C.S., Lee Y.P., Park J.S. Ahn J.H., Sul K.H. (Choi T.O. 79’) COACH: Guus Hiddink
GAME SUMMARY After a very miserable tournament, Hakan Şükür put himself in the record books when İlhan robbed Hong Myung-bo to set him up after 10.8 seconds for the fastest goal of the World Cup finals. Having missed a penalty against the USA, Lee Eul-yong equalized soon after with a smooth free kick that brushed the top of a post. But while South Korea poured forward in a lively first half, Turkey were dangerous on the break against a defense that was still uncertain, and İlhan scored twice before the break after some good interpassing with Hakan Şükür. Bülent elbowed Lee Min-sung in the throat in the Turkish penalty area, and Ahn Jung-hwan had a goal disallowed when Lee Chun-soo was very offside, but in injury time South Korea were allowed the last word when Song Jong-gook’s long shot bounced in off Cha Doo-ri.

FINAL
STADIUM: Kokusai Sogo Kyogijo — International Stadium (Yokohama) DATE: 30-06-2002 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 69.029 REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Ronaldo 67’); 2-0 (Ronaldo 79’) BOOKED: Roque Júnior (6’) / Klose (9’)
		Brazil - Germany
		2-0 (0-0)
BRAZIL Marcos Lúcio, Edmílson, Roque Júnior Cafu (c), Gilberto Silva, Kléberson, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Juninho Paulista 85’), Ronaldo (Denílson 90’) COACH: Luiz Felipe Scolari			GERMANY Kahn (c) Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder Frings, Schneider, Hamann, Jeremies (Asamoah 77’), Bode (Ziege 84’) Neuville, Klose (Bierhoff 74’) COACH: Rudi Völler
GAME SUMMARY For the first time, the World Cup’s two most successful countries met in a final. At almost any other time, the match would have been a classic. Now, while Brazil had three of the most skillful players in the world, backed by the talented Kléberson and a solid defense, Germany had to play their most important game without their most creative player, Ballack, suspended on yellow cards. Despite all their handicaps, Germany stayed true to their history by making a fight of the final. The first twenty minutes were mainly German attacks and Brazilian fouls. Schneider ran Gilberto Silva ragged and Bode played well against Cafu, while Rivaldo was reduced to performing his old trick of holding his face in pain when Schneider trod on his chest. But Germany were not making chances, and just before halftime Kléberson gave a warning by hitting the bar from outside the area. Early in the second half, Neuville hit a distant free kick but Marcos touched it onto a post. That was Germany’s last chance of the game. From that moment on, Brazil started to siege the German goal. In minute 67, Hamann gave the ball away and Rivaldo hit a ground shot from twenty meters. Ronaldo, who was threatening to match the fiasco of his 1998 final (he missed three very good chances in the first half), suddenly received help from the most unexpected source. After conceding a single injury-time goal in six matches, Kahn had been voted player of the tournament, and he’d just made another fine save from Gilberto Silva’s offside header. Now he went down to Rivaldo’s easy shot, but let it rebound off his chest for Ronaldo to push it in. Then Rivaldo dummied over Kléberson’s cross and Ronaldo stepped in ahead of Asamoah to roll the ball past Kahn’s left hand again. For all the mediocrity of the tournament at large, this was arguably the best final since 1986. Cafu, the only man to play in three World Cup finals, became the fifth Brazilian captain to hold the trophy, which they had now won in three different continents.

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