This Friday (30th), the Brazilian National Team celebrates the 21st anniversary of winning the unprecedented five-time world championship. On June 30, 2002, Ronaldo Fenômeno scored both goals for Brazil in the 2-0 victory over Germany, in the final played at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
Canarinho’s trajectory in the World Cup began in the perfect campaign of the group stage, with the three victories against Turkey, China and Costa Rica. All games played in South Korea. Eleven goals was the offensive performance of Brazil, which came to face Belgium in the round of 16.
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HOW WAS THE TITLE ACHIEVED?
In the round of 16, the Brazilian team had one of the most difficult clashes of the victorious campaign. In their first game in Japan, Brazil beat the Belgians, 2-0, with goals from Ronaldo and Rivaldo, and continued in the competition. England was the next opponent and was overcome by Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team.
2001 FIFA Ballon d’Or Michael Owen opened the scoring for the English, equaled by Rivaldo in a beautiful counter-attack move. With a free-kick, Ronaldinho Gaúcho created the eternal doubt whether he kicked on goal or crossed into the area on Brazil’s turn.
The World Cup was close to the end and strong teams were eliminated, such as Italy – in the quarterfinals, lost to South Korea – and Spain – also beaten by South Korea, on penalties.
In the semifinal, Brazil met Turkey again and the difficulty remained the same. It took the toe of Ronaldo’s boot to put the ball in the back of the net and take Canarinho to the seventh final in its history, the third consecutive. On the other side of the bracket, Germany beat South Korea, host and one of the sensations of the Cup. And so the final between four-time champion Brazil and three-time champion Germany was defined.
The match was scheduled to start at 20:00 (local time) and, before the kick-off, the initial protocol of the game was broken. Vampeta got into the photo of the starting 11 and was followed by the rest of the players. The image went down in history and showed the union of the Brazilian group in pursuit of a single objective: winning the fifth championship.
The national team went to the field with the unforgettable team formed by Marcos, in goal, and the defense made up of three defenders: Lúcio, Edmílson and Roque Júnior. On the wings, one of the greatest duos of all time, with Roberto Carlos and the captain, Cafu. In midfield, Gilberto Silva and Kléberson were responsible for providing defensive and offensive support for the Brazilian attack to shine. Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo Fenômeno were responsible for 15 of Brazil’s 18 goals in the World Cup.
If they won, Germany would reach the fourth conquest and equal Brazil in number of titles.
The entire Brazilian team was required in the decision, such as, for example, goalkeeper Marcos, who made great interventions throughout the game, including a save from a free kick by Neuville. On the German side, overcoming goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, elected the best player of the Cup, would not be an easy task for the attackers.
But the number 9 of Brazil would not be stopped. Taking advantage of a rebound from the German archer in a shot by Rivaldo, Fenômeno opened the scoring in the final for Brazil, in the 67th minute of the second half. At 79 minutes, with his characteristic category, Ronaldo finished off the corner and defined the title for Brazil. The goal was the scorer’s eighth in the World Cup and guaranteed the top scorer award to the striker.
THE PLAYERS
GOALKEEPERS
Marcos – Palmeiras
Dida – Corinthians
Rogério Ceni – São Paulo
DEFENDERS
Cafu – Roma (ITA)
Lúcio – Bayer Leverkusen (ALE)
Edmílson – Lyon (FRA)
Roberto Carlos – Real Madrid (ESP)
Roque Júnior – Milan (ITA)
Júnior – Parma (ITA)
Belletti – São Paulo
Anderson Polga – Grêmio
MIDFIELDERS
Gilberto Silva – Atlético Mineiro
Kleberson – Athletico Paranaense
Juninho Paulista – Flamengo
Vampeta – Corinthians
Kaká – São Paulo
Ricardinho – Corinthians
FORWARDS
Ronaldo – Inter Milan
Rivaldo – Barcelona
Ronaldinho Gaúcho – PSG
Denilson – Real Betis
Luizão – Grêmio
Edilson – Cruzeiro
