Germany nabbed an early goal and grittily held on to its lead against a strangely muted Brazil to claim its fourth World Cup.
Almost inevitably, it was Michael Ballack who set up Miroslav Klose for the simple tap-in, which was enough for a 1-0 victory in Berlin's Olympiastadion.
A preview on Thursday night in a Taipei apartment of what could be the final showdown -- on EA Sports' FIFA 06 Soccer -- had virtual German fans celebrating big-time in the World Cup computer simulation.
PHOTO: AFP
As Stage 1 has drawn to a close, an assessment based on FIFA statistics of expected Round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final games suggests Germany will face Brazil in the final on July 9.
After three round-robin matches, Germany has scored the most goals (with Argentina, 8) and leads the rest of the field in terms of shots-on-goal (27), shots (52) and assists (7). Brazil has made the most short passes (1,296), indicating it's the most dominant team in possession.
Standing in the way of Germany is Sweden (most crosses with 107), then most likely Argentina or Mexico, and Australia or Italy. Brazil will play Ghana, probably Spain and another top European team to make it to the final.
The fixture would be a reversal of the 2002 final in Japan which Brazil won 2-0 and would obviously be a fairytale result for the hosts.
Belying its FIFA ranking of 19, the home team has been impeccable so far. It has a blend of youth in attack, wile in midfield and safe hands in goal.
Though Miroslav Klose has had the biggest impact as an individual for Germany, becoming the Cup's record joint-top scorer in the group stage, it's the team's cohesiveness that impresses most.
England, on the other hand, look like flowers about to wilt.
Sweden cruelly exposed English shortcomings. The "Three Lions" scored first but as soon as the Scandinavians leveled they were in disarray.
ugly
Goalie Paul Robinson did a fair impression of David "Calamity" James and the back line couldn't defend against set pieces. It was ugly.
Michael Owen's serious knee injury leaves the English hoping for the untested 17-year old striker Theo Walcott to ride to the rescue like St. George.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson told Skysports that Walcott could be a sensation like 17-year-old Pele in 1958, who featured in Brazil's first Cup triumph in Sweden.
As for the other teams to make it through, Argentina is statistically the best of the rest so far and has also played the prettiest soccer.
A meaningless draw against the Netherlands means the blue-and-white shirts take on Mexico, with young forwards Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez staking their claims for glory.
riding high
The Netherlands will confront Portugal, which is riding high on the back of a European Championship final in 2004 and has top coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil plotting behind the scenes.
In their nine previous meetings, Portugal has won five and lost just one game to the "Orange."
Ghana will represent Africa in the knockout rounds after swatting an uninspiring US 2-1. But Brazil should be too hot too handle now that Ronaldo has lost a few kilograms and gained some pace.
The Brazilian marksman looks like a teddy bear but has earned the respect of history as the top scorer of all time at the World Cup (with Germany's Gerd Muller, 14), after his two goals against Japan.
As for Australia, the heroics continue and following its 2-2 draw against Croatia, soccer administrators in Oz are said to be putting together a bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
As a newly minted team in the Asian Football Confederation and an emerging soccer force, Australia would do well to bring the Cup back to this continent.
First, however, it will have to deal with Italy. The "Azzurri" have looked assured in the qualifying stages and have the pedigree to close down the Socceroos. It could get nasty though, as both sides play a physical game.
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