Brazil may have taken their time, but there was little doubt over their superiority as they powered their way to a fifth World Cup success.
Germany battled bravely to make life difficult for the South Americans before the break, but eventually wilted as the brilliance of Ronaldo finally shone through.
The margin of victory could, and perhaps should, have been greater, but Rudi Voller's side can take great pride in their performance in losing 2-0.
GOALKEEPERS
Without question the outstanding goalkeeper of the tournament, Oliver Kahn was again magnificent, producing two vital saves to deny Ronaldo before the break to keep his side in it. However, it was his failure to make what was for him a relatively routine stop from Rivaldo which handed Ronaldo his first goal, although he had no chance with the second. Brazilian goalkeepers have never been in the spotlight as much as their outfield players, but Marcos produced two top drawer saves, first to tip Oliver Neuville's blistering free-kick on to the post and then to keep out substitute Oliver Bierhoff's late strike to claim the clean sheet which laid the foundation for his side's success.
DEFENCE
Brazil's much maligned defence held firm once again as Lucio, Edmilson and Roque Junior kept the Germans at bay. Neither Lucio nor Edmilson could resist the urge to get forward at times, but they were rarely found wanting as the Germans put them under pressure without ever really carving them apart. To their credit, the German defence stuck to their task admirably despite needing the assistance of keeper Kahn several times before the break. Ably marshalled by the impressive Carsten Ramelow, Thomas Linke and Christoph Metzelder turned in committed performances to keep Rivaldo and Ronaldinho relatively quiet, but Ronaldo's quality eventually shattered their resistance.
MIDFIELD
Rudi Voller's tactics and the hard work of his midfielders severely limited Brazil before the break as wing-backs Torsten Frings and Marco Bode pinned Roberto Carlos and Cafu back inside their own half to provide excellent support to the frontmen. Dietmar Hamann and Jens Jeremies gave everything as they attempted to make up for the loss of the suspended Michael Ballack, while the movement of free man Bernd Schneider proved a threat throughout. Robbed for long periods of the surging runs of Cafu and Carlos, the onus was on the outstanding Kleberson, playing centrally alongside Gilberto Silva, to provide the link between attack and defence, and he did that to superb effect, capping a fine individual display with the run and cross from which Ronaldo sealed victory.
ATTACK
Brazil's famous front three did not have things their own way, and indeed Ronaldinho and Rivaldo were contained comfortably for much of the game as the Germans got men behind the ball. However, while it was Ronaldinho's occasional flashes of brilliance which created Ronaldo's first-half chances and Rivaldo's delicious dummy which provided his strike partner with his second goal, the hero of the hour grabbed the headlines to snatch the Golden Shoe and erase the bitter memories of his nightmare in France four years ago. Neuville and Miroslav Klose battled manfully but enjoyed few clear-cut chances with little meaningful service. Bierhoff was handed a good opportunity seven minutes from time when Frings crossed and he shot towards the bottom corner, but Marcos was equal to the task to deny him a consolation goal.