The final pitted Brazil’s attacking flair against Germany’s defensive resilience, built around goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who had conceded just one goal across the entire tournament.
For an hour, Germany held firm. Then, in the 67th minute, Kahn made his only real error of the competition, spilling a Rivaldo shot straight into Ronaldo’s path, who bundled the ball home to break the deadlock.
ALSO: Mofokeng on verge of Belgium switch
Twelve minutes later, Ronaldo struck again. A flowing move involving several Brazilian players ended with the ball at his feet inside the box, and he finished clinically into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 and settle the contest.
The victory marked a remarkable redemption story. Four years earlier, Ronaldo had endured a nightmare 1998 final, reportedly suffering a seizure hours before kickoff and playing a shadow of himself as Brazil lost 3-0 to France.
Having battled back from serious knee injuries that nearly ended his career, Ronaldo finished the 2002 tournament as top scorer with eight goals, the highest tally at a World Cup since Gerd Muller in 1970.
AFRICA PICKS: Ivory Coast vs Norway – World Cup knockout value bet
Brazil’s win remains their most recent World Cup title, with Ronaldo’s two goals in Yokohama standing as one of the great individual performances in a World Cup final.
Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
