FIFA World Cup 2002: When the 1998 France World Cup ended, the football world was left with many questions. France became champion for the first time. Zidane had emerged as the new king. On the other hand, the debate over Brazil’s defeat and especially Ronaldo’s mysterious illness was still going on. For four years the same question kept being asked as to what happened a few hours before the final that neutralized the world’s most dangerous striker.
When the World Cup reached Asia for the first time
The story between 1998 and 2002 was not just about the World Cup but also about the spread of football around the world. Millions of new spectators were joining the game in Asia. Japan and South Korea had invested heavily in their football infrastructure. FIFA also wanted the World Cup to become a truly global event. With this in mind, the hosting of 2002 was given to two countries for the first time – South Korea and Japan.
This was the first time in history that the World Cup was being played outside Europe and America, on Asian soil. For the first time, two countries were hosting together. A colored ball named ‘Fevernova’ was specially made for this tournament, whose light texture was criticized by many players.
France and Argentina: two big shocks
The biggest question before the tournament was about France. The defending champion and the European champion and the biggest contender. But the history of the World Cup proves again and again that here old notions can be broken in a moment.
In the opening match itself, France was defeated 1-0 by Senegal. It was not just a defeat but it was an announcement that now even the so-called small teams have started competing with the big names. The celebration by taking off the jersey of Papa Bouba Diop after that winning goal became the first big picture of this World Cup. France could not recover from this shock. Zidane was struggling with injury. The team was starved for goals and the defending champions were eliminated in the first round without scoring a single goal. This happened for the first time in history.
Something similar happened with Argentina also. They could not show their paper strength on the field in front of England, Sweden and Nigeria in the ‘Group of Death’. England’s Beckham avenged his 1998 red card by scoring a penalty and Argentina returned home in tears.
Ronaldo: A comeback like a film story
Meanwhile, the eyes of the world were fixed on one player – Ronaldo. After 1998, his career faced a mountain of troubles. Serious knee injuries kept him away from the field for almost two years. Many doctors felt that they would never be the same again. But great players come back even from impossible situations.
In 2002, Ronaldo was not just a player but a comeback story. His strange triangular hairstyle was in the news in this tournament. Later he himself told that this was done deliberately so that the media attention would shift from his injury to his hair and this trick worked.
Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were also in the team with him. These three were called ‘Three R’ – Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho. Rivaldo’s accuracy, Ronaldinho’s imagination, and Ronaldo’s lethal finishing – this trio was terrifying for any defence.
South Korea: Host’s dreamlike journey
Meanwhile, another story was attracting everyone’s attention, South Korea. The host nation defeated Portugal, then eliminated Italy, then defeated Spain in a penalty shootout. For the first time an Asian team reached the semi-finals. There was controversy over some refereeing decisions. Italy and Spain were both upset, but that doesn’t change the fact that Korea took Asian football’s confidence to new heights.
Dutch coach Guus Hiddink became a national hero in Korea. Ahn Jung-hwan’s ‘golden goal’ against Italy created history, however after this his Italian club Perugia fired him from his job.
Brazil: an impeccable journey
Brazil’s journey, on the other hand, was almost flawless. Won all group stage matches. Defeated Belgium, won a memorable match against England, in which Ronaldinho’s 40-yard free-kick over the head of goalkeeper David Seaman is still counted among the smartest goals. Got the ticket for the final by defeating Turkey in the semi-finals.
Final: A mistake by Oliver Kahn
They faced Germany in the final, a clash of two of the most successful football nations, Brazil being four-time champions, Germany three-time, and interestingly, both were coming face to face for the first time in the World Cup.
30 June 2002, Yokohama. The first half was balanced. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was virtually impenetrable throughout the tournament, winning the tournament’s “Golden Ball” before the final, the only goalkeeper to receive this honor in World Cup history. But a finger injury in the final cost him dearly.
The moment came in the second half that changed everything. Rivaldo’s shot missed Caan’s hands, Ronaldo was there, goal, Brazil 1-0 ahead. After some time, Rivaldo cleverly released the ball, Ronaldo scored the second goal, 2-0, the final was almost decided.
The fifth crown, and one man’s personal battle
The final whistle blew, Brazil became champion for the fifth time. This was not just the team’s victory, it was the story of Ronaldo winning his personal battle. The disappointment of 1998, serious knee injuries, long rehabilitation, doubt and criticism and then two goals in the final. It became one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history. He became the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.
Captain Cafu became the only player in the world to play in three consecutive finals (1994, 1998, 2002). Brazil won the title with a 100% record, winning all seven of their matches.
the one who was to come next
The 2002 World Cup is historic for many reasons. Bringing Asia to the center of football, the growing confidence of African and Asian teams, and above all, the immortality of Ronaldo.
But football was changing rapidly. The leagues of Europe were becoming more powerful, a new generation was emerging. Portugal were looking for a young winger. A teenager was making his mark in Argentina. The world did not know their names well yet, but after a few years the entire football world was going to revolve around those two players – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
