The match, which was played in Yokahama, Japan, started out with fast and furious action. Brazil kept to its free-wheeling, dynamic style of attack, led by none other than Ronaldo, who could have easily had a couple of goals early on.

But German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who was named to the tournament all-star team, played brilliantly, which seemed to breathe some life into his team. Germany's pesty little forward Oliver Neuville had the best chance, sending a rocket of a shot from outside the penalty area that Brazilian goalkeeper just got the tip of his fingers on, and which then caught the outside of the post and went out.

After a scoreless first half, Ronaldo took the match into his own hands, or feet. After Kahn, who had let in only one goal the whole tournament, failed to corral a rebound, Ronaldo dashed toward the net and promptly deposited it for his tournament-leading 7th goal. A few minutes later, Ronaldo took a beautiful pass inside the penalty area and calmly slided a shot that just caught the inside of the right post. Kahn didn't have a chance.

Ronaldo's eight goals in the tournament was the most in the World Cup since 1970 when West Germany's Gerd Mueller got 10 and Pele's Brazilian record of 12.

As well, Brazil became the first team since their 1970 side to win all their matches in a World Cup finals. Uruguay in 1930, and Italy, in 1938, are the only other teams to have accomplished the feat.

This year's Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup was deemed one of the best ever by FIFA officials. Besides both the host countries' run to the Round of 16 for the first time, there were no major incidents, with Korea's Red Devils fans showing the world that soccer could be enjoyed sans the violence.

If there was one downside to the World Cup games, according to FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-jun, ticket sales were not as good as expected for the first few games of the tournament. As well, some people pointed out that the refereeing was somewhat suspect this year.

Germany will be looking for revenge in the next World Cup, which they will be hosting in 2006. (Glen Choi, glen@chosun.com )