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A number of massive names from earlier tournaments missed out, together with Netherlands, Romania, Colombia and Norway.
Host: Japan and South Korea
Groups: 32
Format: Group stage, knockouts
Matches: 64
Objectives : 161
Winner: Brazil
Runners-up: Germany
Golden Boot: Ronaldo (Brazil)
Background
The world’s greatest soccer match moved to the largest continent for the primary time in its historical past.
When entries for internet hosting rights had been introduced, Japan and South Korea had bid individually.
Nonetheless, they had been suggested and agreed on making a joint bid which was duly authorized. South Korea’s bidding officers tried to incorporate North Korea as one other co-host to advertise reunification however the concept was not authorized.
The variety of obtainable slots for the match’s important draw was all the way down to 29, because the co-hosts and defending champions France certified routinely. Among the many remaining spots, two had been allotted to Asia, which had been taken up by Saudi Arabia and China, who certified for the primary time.
Of Africa’s 5, Senegal took one as first-time qualifiers. Ecuador and Slovenia had been the opposite debutants.
A number of massive names from earlier tournaments missed out, together with Netherlands, Romania, Colombia and Norway.
Defending champions France began as favourites together with Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Italy. Two of those, nevertheless, stumbled early on and didn’t go previous the group stage.
France misplaced the opening sport to Senegal, a former French colony and several other of whose squad members performed within the French leagues. France had been then held to a goalless draw by Uruguay, earlier than being knocked out with a 2-0 loss to Denmark.
Argentina had barely higher outcomes (one win and one draw) within the so-called Group of Demise. England avenged their loss from 4 years earlier, due to a 1-0 win towards the Argentines.
Brazil and Spain blazed their option to the knockouts by profitable all three group video games. Spain’s spectacular run got here to an finish within the quarter-finals the place they confronted the mighty dwelling drive of the South Koreans.
Spurred on by crowd assist, the house nation had a number of controversial selections go their approach. Their quarter-final towards Spain went to penalties, which South Korea gained 5-3. They had been, nevertheless, stopped by the Germans within the semi-final.
Brazil’s run was spurred by the return of Ronaldo after a career-threatening damage. The star participant scored 4 targets within the group matches and 4 within the knockouts, together with two within the closing towards Germany.
After the heartbreak of 1998, certainly one of Brazil’s biggest sides lifted the nation’s record-breaking fifth world title in Yokohama 4 years later.
Highs
The match benefitted the economies of each host nations.
Ronaldo, termed certainly one of Brazil’s biggest gamers, lastly laid his arms on the World Cup after a surprising run within the match.
Brazil gained each match in regular time.
Miroslav Klose scored a hat-trick of headers in his nation’s 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
A complete of 20 stadiums (10 in every nation) had been used within the match.
Brazil’s Cafu grew to become the one participant to be a part of three World Cup finals (1994, 1998, 2002).
Lows
Refereeing selections, particularly these involving South Korea within the knockout phases, confronted criticism and got here below scrutiny.
Roy Keane of Eire was despatched dwelling after voicing dissatisfaction over the services and preparations of his crew.
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