Korea/Japan 2002

CHAMPION: Brazil

RUNNER-UP: Germany

GOLDEN BALL: Oliver Kahn (GER)

GOLDEN SHOE: Ronaldo (BRA)

TEAMS: 32

TOTAL MATCHES: 64

GOALS SCORED: 161 (2.5 per match)

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 42,268

SURPRISES: Tournament hosts South Korea stunned the world by reaching the semifinals, having knocked out Portugal, Italy and Spain along the way. The USA also provided some drama by reaching the quarterfinals.

FORMAT: Four teams in eight groups in the preliminary stage, group winners, runners-up advanced to the knockout round of sixteen, followed by single elimination knockout play through to the final.

FIFA FAIR PLAY AWARD: Belgium

2002 – For the first time in history, the World Cup was played on Asian soil as South Korea and Japan hosted the event. It was a wide open tournament with stunning upsets, including the U.S. opening round victory over Portugal, and the high-flying Turks advancing all the way to the semifinals.

However, no team captured the imagination of the tournament more than the Guus Hiddink led South Koreans. With fanatical home support, the Asian Tigers defeated Portugal, Italy and Spain before being knocked out by Germany in the semifinals. They eventually defeated Turkey to claim third place.

The reigning champions France departed miserably, failing to score a goal in the group stage and finishing with a single point. Their opening match against Senegal provided one of the shocks of the tournament as the African side beat the French 1-0 after Papa Bouba Diop’s industrious strike.

The U.S. put on its best performance in the modern era by finishing second in its group and beating hated rivals Mexico in the round of 16. The Americans were on their game against Germany in the quarterfinals but failed to find net despite numerous chances. In the end, a Michael Ballack header sunk U.S. hopes.

In the end though, Brazil claimed its record fifth World Cup title by defeating the Germans in the final 2-0 behind the scoring prowess of superstar Ronaldo. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had performed heroically throughout the tournament, but his first real error in seven matches opened the door for Ronaldo to strike and the Brazilians were back on top.