Advancing in Droves

In the final moments of the match, Ronaldo once again scored from long range, netting the last goal of the game. Brazil emerged 5-2 victorious. Apart from an own goal, Ronaldo scored a brace, while Kaká and Ronaldinho each contributed a goal. Brazil scored 11 goals in their three group games, advancing with authority.

Costa Rica, despite having four points like Turkey, unfortunately exited due to an inferior goal difference of three goals less than their counterparts.

The next day, with Poland defeating the United States 3-1, the 48 group stage matches were completed, and the last 16 teams for the 2002 World Cup were determined.

Among the major contenders, Brazil, England, Italy, Spain, and Germany progressed smoothly, while France, Argentina, and Portugal were eliminated.

The defending champions France finished with one draw and two losses, failing to score a single goal in three matches, becoming the biggest laughingstock. While the Brazilians relished their misfortune, hoping to avenge their 1998 defeat, they couldn't help but feel some regret.

Argentina, with one win, one draw, and one loss, finished one point behind the second-placed team in their group, Sweden, and were eliminated. Interestingly, their loss came against England, suggesting that the Three Lions were responsible for their departure, adding another chapter to the England-Argentina rivalry.

The most noteworthy case was undoubtedly Portugal in Group D. They lost 2-3 to the United States, won 4-0 against Poland, and then suffered a 0-1 defeat against South Korea.

The first two matches were uneventful, but the third game was mired in controversy. Pinto received a red card for a flying tackle on Park Ji-sung, while Beto received two yellow cards, forcing Portugal to play with nine men. South Korea's Park Ji-sung scored the decisive goal, eliminating the golden generation of Portuguese players led by Figo.

Without passing judgment on the process, according to some fans' later assessments, Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph, Spain's dominance in 2008, 2010, and 2012, and Portugal's 2016 European Championship victory were likely attributed to the good karma accumulated by the South Korean team in this tournament.

So... kudos to the South Korean team.

Brazil departed South Korea for Kobe, Japan, to prepare for their Round of 16 match against Belgium. The fans were enthusiastic, but unfortunately, Kaká didn't spot any of those annoying "Welcome XXX to Japan" banners described in memes.

Training, preparation...

On June 15th, the Round of 16 commenced with the first match between Germany and Paraguay. It was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to break the deadlock until the 89th minute. With the match seemingly headed for extra time, Kahn launched a long ball, Frings headed it forward, and the speeding Schneider delivered a cross from the right wing.

Making his first start, German striker Neuville made a near-post run and hit a half-volley from 7 meters out, scoring the only goal of the match.

Germany progressed to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, becoming the first team to advance. Paraguay's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time were dashed, and their coach Martino announced his resignation after the match.

...

Also on June 15th, the second Round of 16 match took place at the Niigata Stadium, with England facing Denmark.

The Three Lions took the lead in the fourth minute. Campbell headed the ball forward to Owen, who was challenged by Laursen's clearance that went out for a corner. Beckham's inswinging corner from the left found Ferdinand at the far post, where he headed it in from 3 meters out. Sørensen, standing on the goal line, managed to parry the ball, but it had already crossed the line, and Heskey followed up to make sure.

In the 22nd minute, Beckham played a diagonal pass from the right, and Denmark's clearance fell to Sinclair just outside the box. Surrounded by defenders, Sinclair laid the ball off to the middle for Butt, who backheeled it towards the penalty area. The ball deflected off Gravesen's leg and fell to Owen, who controlled it and fired a left-footed shot past Sørensen from 8 meters out, making it 2-0 for England.

It was Owen's 17th goal for the national team.

In the 44th minute, Mills threw a long ball from the right, which Niclas Jensen headed clear, but it fell to Beckham's chest. Beckham played a square pass to Heskey, who struck a curling shot from 19 meters out that sneaked under Sørensen's arm and into the net, sealing England's victory.

England defeated Denmark 3-0, becoming the second team to advance to the quarterfinals, where they would face either Brazil or Belgium.

Denmark failed to score in a World Cup match for the first time in 13 games, while the young sensation Owen from the previous World Cup found the back of the net in this tournament. Beckham provided assists for Ferdinand and Heskey, with England's two high-profile stars stealing the show.

...

On June 16th, at the Oita Stadium, Group F winners Sweden faced Group A runners-up Senegal in a battle for a quarterfinal spot.

The first half ended 1-1, and after a goalless second half, the match went to extra time for the first time in this World Cup. In the 104th minute, Camara's second goal proved to be the winner, helping Senegal eliminate Sweden and advance to the quarterfinals.

...

Also on June 16th, the fourth Round of 16 match took place at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, with Spain facing Ireland.

In the 8th minute, Puyol threw a long ball from the right, which Enrique headed back towards the byline for Puyol to chase. Puyol crossed from the byline, and Morientes got ahead of Breen to head it in from 5 meters out, giving Spain a 1-0 lead.

In the 89th minute, Finnan took a free-kick from the right and delivered a cross into the box. Quinn challenged for the header, and Hierro pulled his shirt from behind, prompting the referee Frisk to award a penalty and caution Hierro with a yellow card.

Keane stepped up and placed the penalty into the bottom left corner, with Casillas guessing the wrong way, leveling the scores at 1-1.

The match ended in a draw after regulation time, and with no goals scored in extra time, it went to a penalty shootout.

Casillas saved Connolly's right-footed shot in the third round and Kilbane's left-footed effort in the fourth round, allowing Spain to win 3-2 on penalties and advance to the quarterfinals.

The relieved Spanish players celebrated their hard-fought victory, unaware of what awaited them in the next round, which might have tempered their jubilation.

...

On June 17th, the fifth Round of 16 match took place at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, where the United States defeated Mexico 2-0.

McBride and Donovan scored in two lightning counter-attacks, becoming the heroes of the victory.

Notably, the match witnessed 10 yellow cards, and Mexico's captain Marquez was sent off before the final whistle.

The United States will face Germany in the quarterfinals, their second venture this deep into the World Cup since reaching the semifinals in the inaugural 1930 edition.

On June 17th afternoon, Brazil faced Belgium.

(End of chapter)