BRAZIL’S LAST GOLDEN GENERATION

Brazil progressed through the group stage largely unscathed. They recorded convincing wins against Russia and Cameroon (2-0 and 3-0 respectively), before stumbling slightly against Sweden with a 1-1 draw. This result drew a fresh wave of skepticism towards the cautious style employed by the manager. Despite this, Brazil still topped the group with 7 points from 3 matches. Of note were the performances of veteran striker Romário, who scored in each of the group-stage matches to carry them through.

The initial knockout match was played against the host nation, USA, which generated a hostile and combative home atmosphere the Brazilians struggled against. Their chances worsened in the 43rd minute, when Leonardo was shown a red card after elbowing American midfielder Tab Ramos, bringing Brazil down to 10 men. Despite this numerical disadvantage, Brazil eventually broke through in the 72nd minute, with Romario assisting Bebeto for ultimately what would be the winning goal. Although not the most convincing performance, the team had weathered against both a difficult environment and unfortunate circumstances, to secure an all-important knock-out win against the hosts.

In quite possibly the most memorable match of the competition for Brazil, they took on the Netherlands. After a quiet first half, Brazil broke the deadlock through Romario (52’, assisted by Bebeto). Not long after Bebeto added himself to the scoresheet (assisted by Branco), in the 62nd minute , rounding the keeper and finishing into an empty net. This was accompanied by one of the most iconic images from the tournament. During his celebration, he performed a rocking-baby motion with his arms - in reference to the recent birth of his son - before being joined and copied by both Romario and Mazinho. The celebrations however, were short-lived.

The Dutch pulled one back almost immediately through Dennis Bergkamp, before later equalising in the 76th minute after Aron Winter headed the ball home. After letting a 2-goal lead slip and being on the backfoot, Brazil received a free-kick approximately 30 yards out. After a long, deliberate runup, left-back Branco (brought in to replace the suspended Leonardo) produced a spectacular free kick, driving the ball hard and low through the defensive wall and into the net. This moment of magic proved decisive, with Brazil advancing past the Quarter Finals for the first time in 12 years.

Once again, Brazil faced Sweden, who so far were the only team in the tournament to deny Brazil a win. As before, the Swedes proved to be a staunch defensive team and difficult to break down. That was, until the 63rd minute, when Swedish captain Jonas Thern received a straight red-card for a foul on Brazilian captain Dunga. This only helped to aid the Brazilian onslaught which finally broke through in the 80th minute from a header by the slight Romario, following a cross from Jorginho. With only 10-men, Sweden could not overcome the deficit and bowed out to Brazil after the final whistle.

Brazil were now through to their first World Cup final in 24 years - the first since the triumph of a previous generation.

Finals generally tend to be cagey, both teams tend to err on the side of caution, afraid to make a costly mistake that could push the tantalisingly close trophy out of reach. This final proved to be no different. Both teams were historically two of the most successful nations in the World Cup and both were pursuing their fourth title. While Brazil had generally taken a more cautious and defensive approach to this tournament, they were now facing a well-oiled defensive machine crowned by two of the greatest defenders to have lived - Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.

Both defences proved sound, with neither willing to concede, by half-time or full time. Even extra time was not enough to separate the two teams. This led to the first ever penalty shoot-out to decide a World Cup Final. The pressure couldn’t be higher. Evidently, this was borne out when both the initial penalties were missed. The next two for each team were scored, leaving the tally at 2-2. Italy’s fourth attempt was saved by the Brazil keeper Claudio Traffarel after which Brazilian captain Dunga converted his spot-kick.

This placed the pressure squarely on the shoulders of Roberto Baggio, one of the tournament's top scorers, who promptly proceeded to blast the ball over the bar! 3-2 and Brazil had done it, they had broken their 24 year drought with an uncharacteristic pragmatic style which had proved effective despite its earlier criticism. Romario finished the tournament with five goals, earning the Golden Ball award, for the most outstanding player. Together with Bebeto, the veteran duo accounted for eight of Brazil’s eleven goals.

While the team consisted of many veterans, the emergence of Cafu and the formative experience gained by Ronaldo, this World Cup winning squad was the bridge between generations of Brazilian talent. It foreshadowed the significant changing of the guard that was to come.

Brazil’s start to the 1998 World Cup was more troublesome than the previous tournament. In their opening match against Scotland, they required an own goal to secure a 2-1 win, a rather flat performance given the excitement over their attacking players. In the next match, however, Brazil demonstrated considerably more offensive capabilities. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Bebeto all scored in a decisive 3-0 win over Morocco, securing their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare. For the final group stage match, Brazil could play with additional freedom knowing they were safe. Norway, however, had other ideas.

In a tight game, Bebeto opened the scoring late (78’, assisted by Denilson) appearing to have secured victory for the Brazilians’ but Norway answered back soon after in the 83rd minute and took the lead in the 89th through a controversial penalty, converted by Kjetil Rekdal, to win the game 2-1. Despite topping the group and scoring in every match, they had shown clear defensive fragilities across their opening games.

Any questions about their defense were soon forgotten when they blew past Chile, scoring four goals in a convincing win. Midfielder César Sampaio opened the scoring in the 11th minute (assisted by Ronaldo) before adding to his tally 15 minutes later (26’, assisted by Bebeto). Just before half-time, Ronaldo won a penalty and promptly converted to make it 3-0. With the Brazilians’ in full swing, Chile could not recover, scoring a consolation goal in the 70th minute before Ronaldo scored a couple minutes later to complete the rout (72’, assisted by Denilson).

Brazil’s offensive prowess had borne fruit once again, with their performance suggesting they could counter any defensive issues with blistering displays at the other end of the pitch.

Similarly to their 1994 campaign, the quarter finals produced arguably the most entertaining match of Brazil’s tournament. Their defensive problems once again reared their head, with Denmark scoring just two minutes into the first half. After this initial blow Brazil recovered well, scoring through Bebeto (11’, assisted by Ronaldo) and taking the lead in the 27th minute when Rivaldo slotted one home (27’, assisted by Ronaldo) with a dinked effort over the closing keeper. This meant Brazil went into the break leading 2-1, however, soon after the game had resumed the Danish equalised through Brian Laudrup in the 50th minute.

The game hung in the balance, albeit for a short while, before Rivaldo thundered a low driven effort from just outside the box, into the bottom right-hand corner (60’, assisted by Dunga). Brazil held on for the remaining half an hour to narrowly progress through to the semi-finals, triumphant but not escaping unscathed.

Once again Brazil were facing off against the Netherlands in the knockout stage, with the Dutch eager to avenge their loss from the previous tournament. After both teams were equal at the break, Ronaldo scored immediately after half time (46’) after being picked out by Rivaldo. Brazil continued to maintain their lead, and looked set to progress through to another World Cup final, when Patrick Kluivert equalised late via a thumping header from the centre of the box. Both teams remained gridlocked throughout the resulting extra time, with honours remaining even after all the possible minutes.

The Brazilians’ were going to penalties in a decisive World Cup moment once again. Ronaldo stepped up first, and converted. The penalty takers went back and forth until, at 3-2, Phillip Cocu had his penalty saved by Taffarel. With the lead secured, the captain Dunga scored their fourth spotkick. The final penalty for the Dutch was again saved by Taffarel, making him the hero of the moment and sending Brazil through to a consecutive World Cup final for the first time in 36 years.

With the final set against France, Brazil were hoping to become the first team to retain the World Cup since their 1958–1962 triumphs, but the build-up was overshadowed by a medical emergency regarding Ronaldo. Hours before the match, Ronaldo suffered a convulsive episode while at the team hotel. After being taken for medical testing, he was excluded from the initial teamsheet, with Edmundo set to take his place in the starting lineup. However, after being medically cleared to participate, Ronaldo was reinstated shortly before kick-off. France themselves were looking to achieve their first World Cup title, spearheaded by Zinedine Zidane.

Unfortunately for Brazil, they were not destined to repeat their previous success. Zinedine Zidane secured a brace in the first half with two headers from corners, once again highlighting the defensive problems that had plagued Brazil during the tournament, as France ended the first half convincingly 2-0 up. The second half proved to be more competitive, with the Brazilians’ being given a lifeline through a Marcel Desailly red card in the 68th minute, upon which they failed to capitalise. Emmanuel Petit’s stoppage-time strike drove the final nail into the yellow, green and blue coffin, flattening any remaining hope of something miraculous.

R9’s prior emergency may have blunted the Brazilians’ attack but it was their continued defensive struggles that unfortunately were the star of the show. France lifted the first World Cup in their history amidst the tears and frustrations of Brazilian onlookers. Their pursuit of the beautiful game had come at too ugly a price, with Brazil conceding 10 goals over 7 matches (compared to just 3 during their previous winning campaign). Offensively, they had improved with 14 goals scored versus 11 in 1994, but this wasn’t enough to balance their deficits at the other end of the pitch.

Ronaldo received the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player, ending with 4 goals and 3 assists. Unknowingly, in the pursuit of the attractive playstyle held dear by Brazilian fans, they had toppled the carefully constructed balance that had found success in 1994. It was back to the drawing board for Brazil.

Brazil’s opening match was a surprisingly tough encounter with Turkey, which was marred with controversy. Turkey took the lead shortly before half-time, and in an important personal moment, Ronaldo equalised soon after the break. Controversy came late on, first with a penalty awarded to Brazil despite the foul occurring outside the area (87’, Rivaldo) before Hakan Ünsal kicked the ball towards Rivaldo near the corner flag. Despite the ball striking his leg, Rivaldo went down holding his face, for which Unsal received a second yellow card. Subsequently, Rivaldo was later fined for simulation by FIFA.

Next they faced China, who were participating in their first World Cup, and in a convincing 4-0 display, soured their debut. Goals from Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo gave a preview of how high-flying the Brazilians’ could be when firing on all cylinders. In their final group stage match, Brazil continued with their lethality, with their highest scoring performance of the tournament against Costa Rica. In a 5-2 romp, featuring a Ronaldo brace, they glided to a flawless group stage run and finished top of Group C having scored 11 goals in only 3 matches.

In a more challenging match than the scoreline suggested, the Brazilians’ faced off against Belgium in the round of 16. The Europeans appeared to take the lead when Marc Wilmots headed the ball into the net in the first half, before it was disallowed for an apparent foul on Roque Junior. This decision was controversial and heavily disputed. Brazil struggled to break down the Belgian defence, until Rivaldo (67’, assisted by Ronaldinho) controlled the ball and scored with a deflected effort midway through the second half. Ronaldo added a late second (87’, assisted by Kléberson) to secure progression through to the Quarter Finals.

Although troublesome at times, Brazil demonstrated a propensity to see difficult games out defensively while also maintaining a consistent threat towards the opposition goal.

With the Quarter Finals, ‘Canarinha’ faced their toughest opposition yet. Although not considered amongst the favourites, England were still seen as a highly competitive team filled with stars such as David Beckham, Michael Owen (reigning Ballon d’Or winner), Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand. It was England who opened the scoring, when Owen capitalised on a defensive error by Lucio, in the 23rd minute. Perhaps Brazil’s defensive woes of the past were once again about to rear their ugly head. However, this wasn’t to be the case.

Following a marauding run by Ronaldinho who then played through Rivaldo, Brazil crucially equalised just before half-time to make honours even during the break. Early into the second half, with one of the most memorable moments of the tournament, Ronaldinho scored (50’) an extraordinary long-range free kick that caught England’s keeper off his line. Debate emerged later over whether he had intended such a feat, but one thing was certain - Brazil were in the lead! Shortly after, English hopes were lifted via a straight red card for Ronaldinho following a bad challenge. Brazil now had 33 minutes, and some change, to maintain their advantage.

Nevertheless, they defended resolutely with 10 men and secured the victory. Had Scolari not initiated the shift back towards pragmatism and defensive firmness or walked it back under external pressure, it is a wonder if they would have held out.

Brazil were once again facing off against the Turkish side that had proved surprisingly difficult to beat in the group stage. Without the creative threat of Ronaldinho through suspension, the possibility of an upset loomed. The game itself however was overshadowed by one of football's most iconic images, the Ronaldo haircut. After early substitutions in group stage games, as well as in the quarter finals, questions were being raised by the media over Ronaldo’s fitness given his recurrent injury problems. In response, he had devised a plan to distract journalists from their persistent line of questioning.

Before the semi-final, he unveiled the now iconic haircut featuring a small patch of hair at the front of an otherwise shaved head. The plan worked with great success, and there was only one thing that could push it beyond even what he could have imagined - a goal! Finishing even at half-time, it was R9 who struck, carving through the Turkish defence and into the box, before striking with an unexpected toe poked finish. While wheeling off in exuberant celebration, everyone’s eyes were drawn to just one thing - that haircut.

The game ended at 1-0, with Brazil making it through to a third consecutive final for the first time in their history (and only the second time ever in World Cup history), a crowning achievement for their legacy as the greatest World Cup team of all time.

This was the first time Brazil and Germany had faced off in a World Cup (outside of an encounter with East Germany in 1974). Although initially written off, Brazil came into the match as heavy favourites, due in large part to their fantastic combination of goalscoring and capable defensive performances. The Germans had also not been considered favourites coming into the tournament, but had built a reputation as a staunch defensive outfit commanded by their keeper and captain, Oliver Kahn. Germany were the tournament's best team defensively and had only conceded a single goal across their six previous matches.

Contrastingly, Brazil were the best offensive team, having scored 16 goals across the competition. If anything was to break down the German wall, it would have to come in the form of a Brazil-shaped battering ram. In the opening 15 minutes, Germany started positively, recognising that simply relying on their defence would not be enough. As they eased into a rhythm, in the 19th minute came the first big chance for Brazil. Ronaldinho played a well-timed ball through to Ronaldo but a rushed left-footed finish sent the ball wide. As the half continued, Ronaldo was given more opportunities to produce something special but the Germans remained resolute.

Brazil were playing well but had so far lacked the clinical edge that made them so dangerous previously. In the 45th minute came Brazil’s best chance of the match so far. Kléberson, who had established himself in Scolari's midfield during the knockout stages, launched a powerful shot from 20 yards. His effort was enough to beat the keeper, but ricochet off the bar and back into play. At half-time, it remained 0-0. Germany came out of the break strongly, with a few big chances, including a free-kick from Oliver Neuville which came dangerously close to the top corner before Brazil’s goalkeeper Marcos tipped it onto the post.

Soon after, at the other end, Kahn saved a Gilberto Silva header who was then unable to convert the rebound. In the 67th minute came the moment that changed the final. Ronaldo won possession in the midfield and quickly looked to attack. He slid the ball to Rivaldo who struck a low driven effort from outside the penalty area, Kahn let the ball slip from his grasp back into danger where Ronaldo was there to capitalise (67’). Brazil were now on the front foot, with Germany having to change their methods in order to chase the lead.

They brought on attacking reinforcements and increased their pressure, sending more balls into Brazil’s box. As Germany pushed further forward, space began to open up for Brazil’s counterattacks. In the 79th minute, O Fenômeno struck again. Kleberson advanced down the right side of the pitch and played a low cross towards the centre of the box where Rivaldo was positioned. In a clever maneuver, Rivaldo deliberately allowed the ball to run between his legs. With the German defenders fixated on Rivaldo, Ronaldo was left free just behind. Controlling the ball with his right foot he then guided a precise shot into the bottom corner.

A fantastic team goal to cap off a fantastic tournament, finished by a player who had at first been a doubt to even be selected. Germany, however, would not surrender and continued pushing to reduce the advantage - but it was not to be. The final whistle blew and Brazil were champions for a record 5th time. With a flawless run they became the fourth team ever to do so, and the first to do so from as many as 7 matches.

Cafu became the first player in history to make an appearance in three consecutive World Cup finals (Ronaldo was part of each squad during this time, but did not feature in 1994). Ronaldo won the tournament’s Golden Boot award, as the top scorer with 8 goals, scoring in every game besides the quarter-final versus England. He had successfully detracted from concerns over his fitness, through some conventional means and others less so.

From an unused substitute in 1994, to the Golden Ball winner despite losing in 1998, to the top-scorer of the tournament in a historic win for Brazil despite years of injury woes - Ronaldo was one of this golden generation’s brightest stars, and he had recemented himself as one of the greatest to ever do it. Once again, it was a more measured approach that had granted Brazil the success it so desperately craved. A focus on solid foundations both tactically and in terms of personnel, allowed for the true expression of their forwards without compromising at the back.

With the reassurance that should the ball be lost, it would be recovered, Brazil’s offensive players had a license to demonstrate all that the beautiful game has to offer.