Kahn blunder proves costly

Brazil 2-0 Germany

Oliver Kahn’s pre-match naming as the World Cup’s finest goalkeeper seemed to have cursed the Bayern Munich man as Germany lost 2-0 in the World Cup final to Brazil.

Just hours after receiving the Lev Yashin Award for an almost flawless tournament, the 33-year-old’s error today led to Brazil breaking the deadlock.

Kahn spilled Rivaldo’s low shot straight into the path of Ronaldo, who gratefully tucked away his seventh goal of the competition.

Ronaldo later added a second but the damage had been done by Kahn’s slip.

Before the final, the 33-year-old had conceded only one goal in six matches, to Ireland’s Robbie Keane in stoppage time of their first-round 1-1 draw.

Kahn had seemed particularly unbeatable in Germany’s quarter-final win over the United States and he also shone against South Korea in the semi.

But today the Bayern Munich stopper was finally found wanting - on the biggest stage of all.