The Last Stand: Ireland win 2002 World Cup!

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Ireland in Control as Stan leads the way.

World Cup Group E | June 1, 2002 | Sapporo Dome


Staunton rises highest to put Ireland in the lead

By Dylan O'Connell
RTÉ Sport contributor



Ireland made the perfect start to their World Cup campaign in Japan with a commanding 3–1 win over Cameroon in Sapporo, showing resilience, character,
and some moments of real quality to overcome the highly rated African champions.

Veteran defender Steve Staunton, starting his final tournament in Irish green, opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a perfectly timed header from an
Ian Harte corner. It was a deserved lead as Ireland started brightly and won the physical battles in midfield.

Cameroon had a golden opportunity to equalise ten minutes later when Shay Given brought down Samuel Eto’o in the box, but the young Barcelona striker
saw his penalty sail straight over the bar— a key moment in the match.


A clinical Robbie Keane put Ireland back in front again.

Eto’o atoned for his earlier penalty miss just five minutes later, finishing clinically after a defensive lapse from Kenny Cunningham. But Ireland didn’t panic,
they weathered a spell of pressure early in the second half before Robbie Keane broke forward to score a vital second goal in the 59th minute.
After a neat interchange with Matt Holland, the striker rifled a low shot past Jacques Songo'o. His celebration said it all — a cartwheel and
finishing with an archer shooting an arrow, accuracy at its finest.

With just five minutes to go, Captain Roy Keane was found in space by Clinton Morrison and buried a great pass in the box to seal the win and his brace.

Steve Staunton was named Man of the Match for his leadership and crucial goal, while Damien Duff terrorised the Cameroon back line all night with his
darting runs. Eto'os penalty miss proved vital in shifting the momentum back Ireland’s way. No debut for O'Shea or Rooney on the night.

O’Leary will be thrilled with the application and composure shown by his side, especially given the pre-tournament turbulence.
Next up for the Boys in Green: a showdown with Germany. But after tonight’s performance, there is cautious optimism that this Irish side
can do something special in Japan.

Ireland: Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Steve Staunton, Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte,
Jason McAteer (Steven Reid 70'), Roy Keane, Matt Holland (Mark Kinsella 74'), Kevin Kilbane (Morrison 70'),
Damien Duff, Robbie Keane.

Cameroon: Jacques Song'o, Bill Tchato, Rigobert Song, Raymond Kalla, Pierre Wome,
Geremi Njitap (Lauren Etame-Mayer 60'), Marc-Vivien Foe, Eric Djemba-Djemba, R. Salomon Olembe, Samuel Eto'o, Patrick Mboma

Man of the Match: Roy Keane (Ireland)

Referee: T Kamikawa (Japan)

Match Stats:

• Possession: Ireland 43% – 57% Cameroon
  
  Shots on Target: Ireland 9 – 4 Cameroon
  
  Corners: Ireland 4 – 2 Cameroon
  
  Fouls: Ireland 2 – 3 Cameroon
  
  Shot Accuracy: Ireland 64% – 33% Cameroon
  
  Pass Accuracy: Ireland 79% – 89% Cameroon

Highlights:

[Agent]

Those Cameroon kits are hideous

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Those Cameroon kits are hideous

I know. They got slated at the time too. They wanted to go sleveless but FIFA wouldn't let them so they added those weird almost under armor sleeves onto them!

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World Cup 2002: Opening Week Delivers Goals, Shocks and Irish Statement

By Sky Sports News | June 4, 2002

World Cup 2002 – Opening Round Thrillers and Shocks Galore

The 2002 FIFA World Cup burst into life this week with a mix of stunning upsets, clinical masterclasses, and a few cagey stalemates that have already thrown the group stage wide open.

Senegal 1–0 France
The reigning champions France were left stunned in Seoul as debutants Senegal produced one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history. Papa Bouba Diop’s first-half strike sent the West Africans into dreamland and left Les Bleus facing an uphill battle to defend their crown.

Denmark 2–0 Uruguay
A composed Danish performance saw Jesper Gronkjaer grab the headlines, netting twice to put Denmark in control of Group A.

Germany 5–0 Saudi Arabia
Miroslav Klose announced himself on the world stage with two goals as Germany romped past Saudi Arabia in Sapporo. A statement win from Rudi Völler’s men.

Republic of Ireland 3–1 Cameroon
Ireland’s campaign began in style with a hard-fought win over African champions Cameroon. Goals from Robbie Keane, Roy Keane, and Steve Staunton capped a memorable afternoon for David O' Leary’s side.

Nigeria 2–2 Argentina
A pulsating contest saw both sides share the spoils. Nigeria twice came from behind, with Nwankwo Kanu’s two goals including a late header to deny Argentina all three points.

Paraguay 1–0 South Africa
A tight affair settled by a solitary strike from José Cardozo, putting Paraguay in a promising early position.

Spain 3–0 Slovenia
Fernando Morientes' brace and Luis Enrique led the way as Spain cruised to victory in their Group B opener, displaying their tournament credentials.

Sweden 0–2 England
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s men delivered a solid start with Paul Scholes and Trevor Sinclair on target. England’s midfield dictated the tempo in a professional display.

Brazil 0–1 Turkey
A shock of equal measure to Senegal’s triumph, Turkey stunned the five-time champions thanks to Hasan Sas’s decisive finish. Brazil looked off the pace and will need a quick response.

Ecuador 0–2 Italy
Francesco Totti and Gianluca Zambrotta both struck to give the Azzurri a perfect start. Marcello Lippi’s men looked disciplined and dangerous.

Mexico 0–1 Croatia
An Davor Suker goal proved enough for Croatia, who weathered a spirited Mexican fightback to secure three vital points.

China 0–2 Costa Rica
In another surprise, Costa Rica comfortably overcame China with goals from Ronald Gómez and Hernan Medford.

Tunisia 1–1 Russia
A lively draw in Kobe saw both teams trade goals before halftime. Neither side could find a winner despite late chances.

United States 2–1 Portugal
The USA stunned the much-fancied Portuguese with a brave and energetic display. Goals from Clint Mathis and John O'Brien sealed a famous win, with Luis Figo’s side left shell-shocked.

Early Storylines to Watch
- France and Brazil in trouble after shock defeats.
- Ireland and USA among the early overachievers.
- Germany, Spain, and Italy looking ominously strong.

The tournament has only just begun, but the drama is already at full tilt.

Results – Matchday 1

Up Next:
- Ireland v Germany promises fireworks as the top two sides in Group E face off.
- Can France bounce back with Zidane?
- Will Wayne Rooney make the bench in Ireland’s next match?

Stay tuned to Sky Sports for continued coverage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

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June 4th, 2002.

[Agent]

Ireland & Germany in Group E. Tough competition.

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Republic of Ireland 4-2 Germany: Rooney’s Dream Debut Stuns the World

World Cup Group E | June 5, 2002 | Kashima Soccer Stadium, Ibaraki



By Dylan O'Connell
RTÉ Sport contributor



The Republic of Ireland produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2002 World Cup so far, defeating three-time champions Germany 4-2 in Ibaraki to move
top of Group E with two wins from two.

It was a night where 16-year-old debutant Wayne Rooney stole the headlines, scoring twice in a blistering second-half display that has already cemented
his name in Irish football folklore.

Ireland raced into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes. Lee Carsley broke the deadlock after 12 minutes, meeting a loose ball in the box and drilling it beyond
Oliver Kahn.
Just eight minutes later, Matt Holland doubled the lead with a moment of magic—lofting the ball over the stranded German keeper from distance, in a finish
strikingly similar to Ray Houghton’s iconic lob against Italy at USA ’94.


Rooney scores a clinical goal with almost his first touch on his debut.

Germany responded quickly. Miroslav Klose pulled one back on 26 minutes with a powerful header, before equalising on 61 minutes with another
trademark aerial finish.

But the introduction of Rooney moments later proved to be the game’s turning point. The Everton teenager terrorised the German defence with his
strength, pace, and fearlessness.

On 77 minutes, he latched onto a Damien Duff through ball, holding off Christian Metzelder before drilling a low shot past Kahn. Just five minutes later,
Rooney was at it again—this time showing lightning reactions to pounce on a loose ball in the box and smash home Ireland’s fourth.

Germany, despite enjoying 57% possession and outshooting Ireland 16-11, couldn’t cope with the Boys in Green’s clinical finishing and relentless energy.
With two wins from two, Ireland now top Group E ahead of Cameroon and Saudi Arabia, and the dream of a place in the knockout rounds is edging
closer to reality.

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 debut and scoring twice, is something special.
This team is making history.”

Ireland’s final group game will be against Saudi Arabia, where a point would guarantee progression—but on this form, O’Leary’s men will be
hungry for a perfect record.

Ireland 4-2-3-1: Shay Given, Steve Finnan, Steve Staunton, Kenny Cunningham, Ian Harte,
Lee Carsley (Steven Reid 61'), Roy Keane, Matt Holland (Wayne Rooney 61'), Mark Kinsella, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane (Niall Quinn 80').

Germany 3-4-2-1: Oliver Kahn, Sebastian Kehl, Christoph Metzelder, Bernd Schneider, Dietmar Hammann (Torsten Frings 56'), Michael Ballack,
Max Bode, Oliver Neuville (Oliver Bierhoff 75'), Lars Ricken, Miroslav Klose

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney (Ireland)

Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)

Match Stats:

• Possession: Ireland 43% – 57% Germany
  
  Shots on Target: Ireland 8 – 3 Germany

Highlights:

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World Cup 2002: Matchday 2 Review

The second round of group-stage fixtures at the 2002 World Cup served up another dramatic set of results, with shock scorelines, late drama, and standout performances shaping the tournament narrative.

England Left Heartbroken by Argentina
In one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament, England fell 2-1 to Argentina in a tense and, at times, ill-tempered affair in Sapporo. Joe Cole, starting in an advanced midfield role, gave England a dream start with a smart finish after 18 minutes, slotting past the keeper following a well-worked move.

Argentina, though, showed their pedigree. Juan Sebastián Verón pulled the strings in midfield, and Pablo Aimar levelled from close range before half-time. The match’s decisive moment came midway through the second half when Hernán Crespo converted a low cross after exploiting a gap between the England centre-backs.

England pushed for an equaliser, with Michael Owen going close and David Beckham testing the goalkeeper from a free-kick, but Argentina’s defensive organisation proved too strong. The result leaves England in a precarious position heading into their final group game, knowing only a win will keep their World Cup dreams alive for certain.

Hosts on the March
South Korea delighted their home fans again, coming from behind to beat Poland 2-1 and move within touching distance of the knockout stages. The joint-hosts are proving they are more than just tournament organisers.

Ireland Stun Germany to Top Group E
The biggest talking point came from Ibaraki, where the Republic of Ireland produced a sensational 4-2 win over Germany. David O’Leary’s side, buoyed by teenage debutant Wayne Rooney’s two-goal heroics, took full advantage of their chances despite Germany’s possession dominance. Goals from Lee Carsley and Matt Holland gave the Irish a 2-0 lead before Miroslav Klose struck twice to level the game. Rooney then turned the match on its head with a blistering brace, sealing one of Ireland’s greatest ever results on the world stage.

Favourites Edge Tight Contests
France bounced back from their opening draw with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay, while Argentina survived a late scare to beat England by the same scoreline. Italy also emerged 2-1 winners over a stubborn Croatia, keeping their 100% record intact.

Mixed Fortunes for Africa’s Contingent
Cameroon looked dominant in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while Senegal played out a 1-1 draw with Denmark—remaining unbeaten but still with work to do to secure progression. Nigeria also drew 1-1 with Sweden in a hard-fought contest.

Elsewhere
Portugal maintained their perfect start with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Poland, while Russia recorded a solid 2-0 win against Japan. Tunisia and Belgium played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, and Paraguay kept their hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Spain.

Matchday 3 Awaits
With the final group fixtures looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For some, progression is already in sight; for others, it’s all or nothing in their last chance to qualify for the knockout stages.

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June 6th, 2002.

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