Ronaldo misses hat-trick of chances in first half

Germany 0 Brazil 0

Brazil striker Ronaldo missed a hat-trick of chances to erase the harrowing memory of France ’98 as Germany survived a torrid end to the first half of the World Cup final.

On the half hour Ronaldo spurned a second bite of the cherry as he took another pass from Ronaldinho in his stride, bringing the ball down on his chest.

The close attention of Thomas Linke appeared just enough to put him off for this time he barely connected with an attempted toe-poke effort past Kahn, who had again raced quickly off his line and so was in a position to smother the ball.

Collina was doing his best to let the game flow as players were going to ground at will under the slightest of touches, but the Italian was wise to the antics from both sides.

Brazil had also started to control the game following Germany’s early flourish and after Jeremies had drilled a shot wide of the angle of crossbar and post, it was Kleberson who missed the chance for the opener in the 41st minute.

The 23-year-old attacked the German defence and let fly with an 18-yard left-foot shot which Kahn was grateful to watch flash past his left-hand post.

Kahn was finally beaten just 90 seconds before half time as Kleberson struck a wonderful curling shot from 25 yards, but the crossbar came to the aid of Germany’s number one.

Kahn then showed just why he is rated the world’s best as Linke made a hash of clearing an angled Roberto Carlos drive, allowing the ball to run into the path of Ronaldo.

Despite cleaner contact being made with a fierce left-foot drive from 10 yards, Kahn brilliantly saved with his legs to keep Germany on level terms going into the break.