FIFA World Cup 2002 – Korea/Japan
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, was a tournament of upsets, technological advancements (it was the first World Cup with matches in HDTV), and the remarkable return of one of football’s greatest stars. It was a tournament that saw a number of major football nations eliminated early, while new teams, led by the host nations, captivated the world.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Denmark |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
 Senegal |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 |
 Uruguay |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
 France |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- France 0-1 Senegal
- Uruguay 1-2 Denmark
- Denmark 1-1 Senegal
- France 0-0 Uruguay
- Denmark 2-0 France
- Senegal 3-3 Uruguay
This group provided the biggest upset in World Cup history when newcomers Senegal defeated the reigning champions France in the opening match. This set the tone for France’s disastrous campaign, as they were eliminated without scoring a single goal. Senegal, with their attacking flair and joyous celebrations, became the darlings of the tournament.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 |
 South Africa |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
 Slovenia |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
Match Results
- Paraguay 2-2 South Africa
- Spain 3-1 Slovenia
- Spain 3-1 Paraguay
- South Africa 1-0 Slovenia
- Slovenia 1-3 Paraguay
- South Africa 2-3 Spain
Spain was one of the few teams to live up to expectations, winning all three of their matches with their slick passing game. Paraguay and South Africa were in a thrilling race for second place, with Paraguay’s victory over Slovenia, and a better goal-difference, sealing their place in the knockout stage.
Group C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 9 |
 Turkey |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
 Costa Rica |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
 China PR |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
Match Results
- Brazil 2-1 Turkey
- China PR 0-2 Costa Rica
- Brazil 4-0 China PR
- Costa Rica 1-1 Turkey
- Costa Rica 2-5 Brazil
- Turkey 3-0 China PR
Brazil, with their potent “three R’s” attack of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho, dominated this group. Turkey’s hard-fought victory over China secured their passage to the knockout stage, leaving a strong Costa Rica side disappointed.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Korea |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
 United States |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
 Portugal |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 |
 Poland |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
Match Results
- South Korea 2-0 Poland
- United States 3-2 Portugal
- South Korea 1-1 United States
- Portugal 4-0 Poland
- Portugal 0-1 South Korea
- Poland 3-1 United States
The host nation, South Korea, delivered a stunning performance, topping their group with a dramatic win over Portugal. The USA’s shock victory over a strong Portuguese team was a highlight, and it was enough to see them through, despite their final match loss to Poland.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 7 |
 Republic of Ireland |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
 Saudi Arabia |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | -12 | 0 |
Match Results
- Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia
- Republic of Ireland 1-1 Cameroon
- Germany 1-1 Republic of Ireland
- Cameroon 1-0 Saudi Arabia
- Cameroon 0-2 Germany
- Saudi Arabia 0-3 Republic of Ireland
Germany’s 8-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia sent a clear message, though their tie with Ireland showed they were not invincible. Ireland’s Robbie Keane’s last-minute equalizer against Germany was a dramatic moment that helped secure their place in the knockout round.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sweden |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
 England |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
 Argentina |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
 Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
- England 1-1 Sweden
- Sweden 2-1 Nigeria
- Argentina 0-1 England
- Sweden 1-1 Argentina
- Nigeria 0-0 England
Dubbed the “Group of Death,” this group lived up to its name. Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favorites, was eliminated after losing to England and drawing with Sweden. David Beckham’s penalty against Argentina was a moment of redemption for the English captain after his red card in the 1998 World Cup.
Group G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mexico |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 |
 Italy |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
 Croatia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
 Ecuador |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
Match Results
- Croatia 0-1 Mexico
- Italy 2-0 Ecuador
- Mexico 2-1 Ecuador
- Italy 1-2 Croatia
- Ecuador 1-0 Croatia
- Mexico 1-1 Italy
This group saw a number of surprising results, including Italy’s shock loss to Croatia. Mexico’s solid performance, especially in their final group match draw against Italy, helped them top the group. Italy’s progression was far from convincing, but they managed to scrape through.
Group H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
 Belgium |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 5 |
| Ireland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
 Russia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
Match Results
- Japan 2-2 Belgium
- Russia 2-0 Tunisia
- Japan 1-0 Tunisia
- Belgium 1-1 Russia
- Japan 2-2 Tunisia
- Belgium 3-2 Russia
The co-hosts, Japan, captivated their home crowds by winning their group for the first time in their history, playing with energy and skill. Belgium also progressed, while Russia and Tunisia were eliminated.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Germany 1-0 Paraguay
Denmark 0-3 England
Sweden 1-2 Senegal (after extra time)
Spain 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Spain wins 3-2 on penalties)
Mexico 0-2 United States
Brazil 2-0 Belgium
Japan 0-1 Turkey
South Korea 2-1 Italy (after extra time)
The Round of 16 was full of surprises. The USA’s 2-0 victory over rivals Mexico was a major upset. However, the most controversial match was South Korea’s win over Italy. The match was marred by a number of contentious refereeing decisions, including a disallowed golden goal for Italy. South Korea’s victory, secured by a golden goal from Ahn Jung-hwan, sent them to the quarterfinals.
Quarter-finals
▸
England 1-2 Brazil
Germany 1-0 United States
Spain 0-0 South Korea (South Korea wins 5-3 on penalties)
Senegal 0-1 Turkey (after extra time)
The quarterfinals continued the tournament’s trend of drama. Brazil’s victory over England, sealed by a legendary long-range free-kick from Ronaldinho, was a classic. Once again, South Korea’s match was steeped in controversy, as they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout after two Spanish goals were disallowed in regular time. Turkey’s golden goal win over Senegal ended the African team’s fairy tale run.
Semi-finals
▸
Germany 1-0 South Korea
Brazil 1-0 Turkey
Germany and Brazil, two traditional powerhouses, put an end to the surprise runs of the tournament’s underdogs. Brazil’s Ronaldo scored the winner in a tight match against Turkey, while Germany’s Michael Ballack’s goal sent them to the final. Ballack, however, was booked in this match, meaning he missed the final.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: South Korea vs. Turkey
Result: South Korea 2-3 Turkey
Turkey secured third place in a thrilling match, with Hakan Şükür scoring the fastest goal in World Cup history at just 10.8 seconds. South Korea’s fourth-place finish was still a historic achievement for Asian football.
Final
▸
Match: Brazil vs. Germany
Result: Brazil 2-0 Germany
The final was a classic encounter between two of football’s most decorated nations. Ronaldo, after his nightmare in the 1998 final, was the hero, scoring both goals to secure Brazil’s record fifth World Cup title. His performance throughout the tournament, especially in the final, was a magnificent return to form and an unforgettable moment of personal redemption.