2002: Brazil's Fifth Time as Champions

Relive Brazil winning the World Cup for the fifth time in Japan and South Korea.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Eduardo KnappFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil are World Cup winners for the fifth time!

Brazil’s left back and captain, Cafu, lifts the trophy as Brazil win the World Cup for the fifth time in Japan and South Korea. They beat Germany in the final on June 30, 2002, at Japan's Yokohama Stadium.

This was Brazil's third consecutive appearance in a World Cup final. The World Cup finals were being played in Asia for the first time ever, and it was also the first time that two countries co-hosted the tournament.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Midfielder Gilberto Silva (right) and striker Ronaldo, the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, kiss the gold trophy after Brazil win the title for the fifth time.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-03) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v Türkiye

Brazil played their first match against Türkiye in Ulsan, South Korea. It was a tough and controversial match, with Türkiye scoring the first goal at the stroke of halftime. In the second half, the game heated up after a goal that came from a slide by Brazil’s striker Ronaldo.

Disgraced by being knocked out of the Copa América in 2001, and having a poor World Cup qualifying campaign, the Brazilian team came from behind to beat Türkiye 2-1, thanks to Rivaldo putting away a controversial penalty three minutes from full time.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-03) by Eduardo KnappFolha de S.Paulo

In the stands at the Ulsan Stadium in South Korea, a Brazilian fan holds up a picture of Romário during the group stage match between Brazil and Türkiye in protest after the prolific striker was left out of the World Cup squad.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-06) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil's manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, puts the team through their paces in Ulsan in South Korea before their second fixture against China.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-08) by Eduardo KnappFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v China

Brazil were the better team on the day and, despite China’s efficient marking causing them problems early on, the team in yellow ended up easy 4-0 winners in Seogwipo, South Korea.

Goals from Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho in the first half and a fourth from Ronaldo in the final minutes of the game secured Brazil their place in the round of 16.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-09) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazilian players train for their next fixture against Costa Rica, their last game in the group stage.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-13) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v Costa Rica

In their last group stage game and with their place in the round of 16 secure, Brazil defeated Costa Rica 5-2 thanks to goals from Edmílson, Rivaldo, and Júnior, and two from Ronaldo. It was their biggest win at that World Cup.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-15) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil’s starting goalkeeper Marcos tries to save a penalty during training before their first knockout game of the tournament against Belgium.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-17) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v Belgium

In their first match in Japan, which was co-hosting the tournament with South Korea, Brazil beat Belgium 2-0, with both goals coming from Rivaldo and Ronaldo in the second half of a tough match for the team in yellow.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-21) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazilian fans take photos during the World Cup quarter final between Brazil and England at the Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi (Japan).

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-21) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v England

In the quarterfinal match against England—the first time that Ronaldo failed to score at the tournament—the spotlight shifted to World Cup debutant Ronaldinho, who turned the game around, scoring Brazil’s second and winning goal after Rivaldo’s late first-half equalizer.

Just minutes after scoring the winning goal, Ronaldinho’s unfair tackle on England’s right-back Mills saw the Brazilian get a red card.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-26) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

A fan from Itaguaí in Greater Rio de Janeiro at the semifinal between Brazil and Türkiye in the Saitama Stadium in Japan.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-26) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazil v Türkiye

Without Ronaldinho, who was suspended following his red card against England, the semifinal at the Saitama Stadium in Japan brought Brazil and Türkiye together for the second time in the tournament.

Close marking from fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos thwarted Türkiye's plans and Brazil emerged 1-0 winners, thanks to Ronaldo's goal early in the second half. They were through to the World Cup final.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Eduardo KnappFolha de S.Paulo

Brazilian fans unfurl the Brazilian flag in the Yokohama Stadium in Japan on the day of the final between Brazil and Germany.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Final: Brazil v Germany

In the first ever meeting between Brazil and Germany, the final score was 2-0 to Brazil, with both goals coming from Ronaldo in the second half. Brazil had become the first team ever to win five World Cups, cementing their supremacy in soccer’s most coveted competition.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Eduardo KnappFolha de S.Paulo

The Brazilian team celebrate winning the World Cup for the fifth time at the end of the match against Germany at the Yokohama Stadium in Japan.

World Cup 2002 (2002-06-30) by Juca VarellaFolha de S.Paulo

Former player Pelé, who won the World Cup for the third time in 1970, celebrates the 2002 win with Ronaldo, the tournament’s top scorer.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Patrícia SantosFolha de S.Paulo

Along Paulista Avenue in downtown São Paulo, thousands of fans party after Brazil win their fifth World Cup.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-06-30) by Ana Carolina FernandesFolha de S.Paulo

On Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, fans watch on the screen as Brazil make World Cup history by winning the trophy for the fifth time.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-07-02) by Ana Carolina FernandesFolha de S.Paulo

Some of the 23 players and members of the backroom staff celebrate Brazil’s triumph during a parade through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Copa do Mundo 2002 (2002-07-02) by Sérgio LimaFolha de S.Paulo

Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso lifts up the gold trophy while meeting the team who made history, in Brasília.

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