South Korea and Japan 2002

The first tournament in Asia was arguably the most shock-filled, albeit with a predictable conclusion.

Argentina and defending champion France exited in the first round, while three-time champion Italy was one of several teams surprised by South Korea on the co-host's run to the semifinals.

After all that, Brazil and Germany, the two most successful World Cup teams, met in the final and Brazil won its record fifth title on two goals by striker Ronaldo.

France entered the competition with mostly the same players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. However, older and slower than before, they were beaten 1-0 in the opener by debutant Senegal and eventually exited without scoring a goal.

Argentina fared little better, with a 1-0 loss to rival England contributing to its early exit.

Senegal, Turkey, South Korea, Japan and the United States all made it through to the latter stages at the expense of more fancied teams, while -- inspired by the saves of captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn -- a Germany team supposed to be the country's poorest for years made it to the final on a string of three 1-0 wins.

Kahn denied Brazil until the 67th minute in the final when he parried the ball into the path of Ronaldo, who scored. The striker added another 12 minutes later.

Defender Cafu -- the only man to play in three finals -- lifted the famous trophy and kept alive Brazil's record of having won the World Cup on every continent to host the event.