Korea, Japan 2002
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, was a tournament of firsts: the first World Cup held in Asia, the first to be staged by two countries, and a showcase of the increasing globalization of the sport. The competition defied expectations, with the traditional football hierarchies challenged by the unprecedented advancement of teams such as South Korea, who reached the semi-finals, and Turkey, who finished in an impressive third place. Brazil reclaimed their position at the apex of world football, securing their fifth World Cup title as Ronaldo redeemed his 1998 final disappointment with a Golden Boot-winning performance, scoring eight goals, including two in the final against Germany. The tournament was marked by several upsets and controversial officiating decisions, which added to the drama and unpredictability of the outcomes. Additionally, the World Cup was a cultural exposition, highlighting the distinct and harmonious co-hosting by South Korea and Japan, showcasing technological advancements, and leaving a legacy of infrastructure and development in both countries.
Knockout stage
group stage
| Group B | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 9 |
2  Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
3  South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
4  Slovenia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Group C | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Brazil | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 9 |
2  Turkey | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
3  Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
4  China | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Group D | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  South Korea | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
2  United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
3  Portugal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
4  Poland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Group E | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 7 |
2  Republic of Ireland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
3  Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
4  Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Group F | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Sweden | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
2  England | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
3  Argentina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
4  Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Top scorers
Ronaldo (8) Rivaldo (5)Miroslav Klose (5)
Jon Dahl Tomasson (4)
Christian Vieri (4)Robbie Keane (3)Michael Ballack (3)
Papa Bouba Diop (3)
Marc Wilmots (3) Pauleta (3)