The Last Stand: Ireland win 2002 World Cup!

[RMJH4]

Rooney Strikes again as Ireland top Group E.

World Cup Group E | June 11, 2002 | International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama



By Dylan O'Connell
RTÉ Sport contributor



The Republic of Ireland produced a commanding display in Yokohama as they swept aside Saudi Arabia 4–1 to keep their World Cup momentum rolling.

All eyes were on 16-year-old Wayne Rooney, making his first World Cup start, and the Everton wonderkid wasted no time making an impact.
Just 13 minutes in, Rooney latched onto a clever pass from Robbie Keane, shrugged off his marker and drilled a low finish beyond Mohamed Al-Deayea
to send the travelling Irish fans into raptures.

Stephen Reid doubled the lead on 21 minutes with a incredible overhead kick from the edge of the box after John O'Shea’s surging run. Kevin Kilbane,
introduced at half-time for Damien Duff, added the third midway through the second half, after a superb piece of skill in the penalty box.



Robbie Keane got in on the act with a predatory finish on 89 minutes, capping a superb attacking display from David O'Leary’s side.
The only blemish came deep into stoppage time when Mohammed Al Shalhoub grabbed a consolation for the Saudis. Finishing off a rebound off the post,
Dean Kiely couldn't keep the late goal out.

Ireland’s dominance was clear from the stats – 21 shots to the Saudis’ one, with 17 efforts on target. Player of the Match went to Rooney,
who tormented the Saudi defence with his pace, strength and composure.

Manager David O’Leary praised his side’s spirit:

“We believed we could beat them, but to do it like that, with a young lad making his first start and scoring his third goal, is something special.
This team is making history.”

Ireland await result from Group B where they could face either Paraguay or Spain in the round of 16.

Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1)
Dean Kiely, John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Gary Breen, Ian Harte, Steven Reid, Roy Keane (c) (Kinsella 45'), Duff (Kilbane 45'),
Robbie Keane, Clinton Morrison, Rooney (McAteer 64').

Saudi Arabia (4-4-2)
M. Al-Deaye; Dokhi, Al-Temyat (c), Zubromawi, Harthi; Noor, K. Al-Dosari, O. Al-Ghamdi, A. Al-Waked; Al-Shalhoub, Al-Jaber.
Subs: Al-Waked (64), O. Al-Dosari (68).

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney (Ireland)

Referee: Falla N'Doye (Senegal)

Match Stats:

• Goals: Rooney (13’), Reid (21’), Kilbane (67’), R. Keane (89’) – Al Shalhoub (90’)
  
  Shots: Saudi Arabia 1 – 21 Republic of Ireland
  
  Possession: Saudi Arabia 56% – 44% Republic of Ireland
  
  Shots on Target: Saudi Arabia 1 – 17 Republic of Ireland
  
  Corners: Saudi Arabia 2 – 4 Republic of Ireland

Highlights:

[RMJH4]

World Cup 2002 – Matchday 3: Group Stage Closes with Brazil Dumped Out.

The group stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup came to a thrilling conclusion on Matchday 3, with qualification hopes hanging in the balance across all eight groups. From stunning upsets to dominant displays, the final round of fixtures delivered everything fans could have hoped for.

Group A: France Bounce Back, Uruguay Fall Short
France secured top spot with a tense 2-1 win over Denmark, recovering from their opening match defeat to progress with six points. The Danes, despite the loss, clung onto second place after Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Senegal wasn’t enough to overhaul the goal difference. Senegal’s fairytale run ends at the first hurdle, while Uruguay’s late rally proved too little, too late.

Group B: Paraguay Perfect, Spain Secure Second
Paraguay emerged as the only side in the group stage to win all three games, edging Slovenia 3-2 in a thriller. Spain comfortably beat South Africa 2-0 to lock in second place. Slovenia and South Africa bow out without a win between them.

Group C: Turkey Topple Brazil, Costa Rica Advance
In one of the shocks of the tournament, Turkey beat China 2-0 to top the group unbeaten. Brazil’s shock 1-0 loss to Costa Rica confirmed the Selecão’s early exit, leaving the Central Americans celebrating progression against all odds.

Group D: USA March On, South Korea edge through
South Korea stunned Portugal 2-0, enough for the host nation to squeak into the Round of 16 thanks to their earlier results. The United States drew 1-1 with South Korea earlier in the round and finish second in the group, undefeated.

Group E: Republic of Ireland Fly Through with Perfect Record
Ireland’s dream run continued with a 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia, sealing three wins from three and top spot. Germany’s 3-0 victory over Cameroon was enough to clinch second, with the Indomitable Lions and Saudis heading home.

Group F: England Advance Ahead of Argentina
England got the result they needed, overcoming Nigeria 3-1 to secure first place. Argentina finished second in the group after a 1-1 draw with Sweden, sending the Scandinavians crashing out without a win.

Group G: Italy and Croatia Power Through
Italy made it three wins from three with a 3-0 win over Mexico, while Croatia edged Ecuador 2-1 to seal second place. Mexico leave without a single point or goal.

Group H: Russia Impress, Japan Hold On
Russia’s 2-1 win over Belgium kept them top, while Japan’s remarkable run of a win, a loss and a draw – was just enough to clinch second. Ensuring both host nations qualify for the second round and on the weaker side of the draw.

Round of 16 Fixtures

Republic of Ireland vs Spain

France vs Argentina

England vs Denmark

Paraguay vs Germany

Italy vs United States

Costa Rica vs Japan

Russia vs Turkey

South Korea vs Croatia

The knockout stage promises mouth-watering clashes, with heavyweight battles like France vs Argentina and Italy vs United States sitting alongside potential Cinderella stories from Ireland, Costa Rica, and host nations Japan and South Korea. The drama is only just beginning.

[RMJH4]

[AJ_Josh]

Rooney coming in was a shock. I did not see that coming but it is paying off big time for the squad.

[kibaxx7]

Brazil crashing out early is incredible

[RMJH4]

Rooney coming in was a shock. I did not see that coming but it is paying off big time for the squad.

Yeah he was really close to playing for Ireland after he made his Everton debut in late 2002. Mick McCarthy had him convinced he was coming into the main squad, but for some reason he called him into U21s first. Rooney was already on England U21 team so changed his mind. He confirmed this recently on Sky Sports Stick to Football. He would have definitely made an impact at the world cup. He was incredible at this age.

Brazil crashing out early is incredible

I literally cannot believe it. I don't understand how you can be the top rated team in the tournament and not make it through. Paraguay topping Spains group is also a shock. I was hoping to face them in round of 16, but true to real life I cannot avoid Spain!

[Agent]

Brazil out already

[RMJH4]

Rooney Inspires Ireland to Famous Win Over Spain

World Cup Round of 16| June 16, 2002 | Suwon Stadium



By Dylan O'Connell
RTÉ Sport contributor



The Republic of Ireland produced one of the greatest nights in their football history, defeating Spain 3–2 in a thrilling Round of 16 clash at the
2002 FIFA World Cup in Suwon. Sixteen-year-old Wayne Rooney, making only his second World Cup start, lit up the occasion with a
stunning equaliser and a performance full of fearlessness, power, and composure.

Spain struck first in the 24th minute when Fernando Morientes rose highest to nod home a curling cross from Juan Carlos Valerón.
Ireland, though, refused to be overawed. With the clock ticking towards half-time, Rooney muscled past Carles Puyol on the edge of the area
before rifling a low drive past Iker Casillas to bring the scores level.

Moments later, Damien Duff was brought down inside the area, and Robbie Keane kept his cool to slot the penalty and send the Irish fans
into delirium just before the break.



The second half saw Ireland grow in confidence, and their persistence paid off in the 69th minute. A slick move involving Steve Finnan and
Robbie Keane ended with Duff curling a magnificent finish into the far corner for 3–1.

Spain rallied late, with Raúl converting an 87th-minute penalty after Steve Staunton was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.
But Ireland’s defence, marshalled superbly by Shay Given who pulled off a number of top saves, held firm to secure a famous victory and a
place in the quarter-finals.

Rooney was named Man of the Match again, his physicality and fearlessness unsettling Spain’s back line all evening.
Shay Given also made two vital saves to deny Raúl and Morientes, ensuring Ireland’s dream run continued.

Republic of Ireland 4-4-2: Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Steve Staunton, Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte, Jason McAteer (Stephen Reid 71),
Matt Holland (Mark Kinsella 71), Roy Keane (c), Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Wayne Rooney (Kevin Kilbane 71).

Spain 4-3-3: Iker Casillas, Carlos Puyol (c), Fernando Hierro, Juanfran, César Torres, Luis Enrique, Gaizka Mendieta, Juan Carlos Valerón (Xavi 83),
Fernando Morientes, Raúl González, Francisco DePedro.

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney (Ireland)

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)

Match Stats:

• Shots: Spain 7 – 10 Republic of Ireland
  
  Possession: Spain 54% – 46% Republic of Ireland
  
  Shots on Target: Spain 4 – 6 Republic of Ireland
  
  Corners: Spain 5 – 2 Republic of Ireland

Highlights:

[RMJH4]

Brazil out already

Yes cannot believe it!

[RMJH4]

World Cup 2002 – Round of 16 Round-Up
BBC Sport – South Korea & Japan

The drama of the 2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stages began in thrilling fashion as eight nations booked their places in the quarter-finals after a tense and action-packed Round of 16.

France edge Argentina in penalty drama
Holders France survived a major scare against Argentina, drawing 1-1 over 120 minutes before holding their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties. The champions looked vulnerable at times but remain in the hunt to defend their title.

Ireland stun Spain in five-goal thriller
The Republic of Ireland produced a stirring performance to knock out Spain 3-2 in Suwon. Wayne Rooney, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff were the heroes for David O'Leary’s side, with Ireland sealing their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance on foreign soil.

England too strong for Denmark
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s England eased into the last eight with a composed 2-0 win over Denmark. Goals from Michael Owen and Emile Heskey sealed the deal as England’s controlled display never let the Danes settle.

Germany scrape past Paraguay
A tense, goalless affair saw Germany and Paraguay head to penalties. Oliver Kahn’s crucial save ensured Rudi Völler’s men progressed, winning 5-4 in the shoot-out.

Japan continue dream run
Co-hosts Japan marched on with a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica, delighting the home fans in Yokohama. The hosts now eye a semi-final spot as belief grows across the nation.

Italy power past USA
Italy showed their class with a 3-1 triumph over the United States. Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti were instrumental, as Giovanni Trapattoni’s side advanced confidently.

Turkey shock Russia
One of the surprises of the round came in Ulsan, where Turkey overturned an early deficit to beat Russia 2-1. Hakan Şükür scored the winner in a fiery contest.

Croatia break Korean hearts
In a fiercely contested match in Seoul, Croatia ended co-host South Korea’s run with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Davor Šuker and Alen Bokšić secured progression for the 1998 semi-finalists.


Round of 16 Results:
France 1–1 Argentina (France win 4–3 on pens)
Republic of Ireland 3–2 Spain
England 2–0 Denmark
Paraguay 0–0 Germany (Germany win 5–4 on pens)
Costa Rica 0–2 Japan
Italy 3–1 United States
Russia 1–2 Turkey
South Korea 1–2 Croatia