On This Day – 21st June
Brazil’s beat Italy in the 1970 World Cup Final which happened on this day fifty years ago. However, I have decided not to write about that legendary game, as I will feature it in my ‘Football’s Greatest Games’ series very soon.
On this day back in 2002, Brazil had another key victory in a World Cup game and this time it was England who were their opponents.
Shizuoka in Japan was the venue for the Quarter Final in the first World Cup to be played in two countries. The other hosts were South Korea.
Michael Owen gave England the lead after 23 minutes, capitalising on a defensive slip by Brazilian Lucio. The thousands of England fans in the stadium and many more back at home began dreaming of a famous victory.
The match kicked off at 7:30 am British time and the goal woke the nation back home!
Rivaldo equalised in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half after a marauding run from Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho scored the second with a free-kick out on the right touchline five minutes into the second half. Spotting David Seaman off his line, the Brazilian hit the ball high over the England’s goalkeeper and just under the crossbar.
Ronaldinho went from hero to villain eight minutes later after scoring, as he received a red card for fouling England defender Danny Mills.
The Brazilians held on and after beating Turkey in the Semi-Final, beat Germany 2-0 in the Final to win the World Cup for the fifth time.
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