Quarter Finals

Spain 2-0 Italy

Pre-game odds: Spain evens; Italy 2/1; extra time 2/1

This is a decent match, but nothing too spectacular. Kiko and Morientes put two past early in the first half, and Italy have the fight taken out of them.

Brazil 2-0 France

Pre-game odds: Brazil 4/6; France 6/1; extra time 5/2

Not exactly the prettiest of matches. Brazil took the lead through Bebeto on 12, but only after a Zidane shot had hit the woodwork after just 48 seconds. Dugarry is sent off for France late in the first half, and France never threaten after that. Ribaldo gets the second goal on 77.

Netherlands 2-0 Japan

Odds: Netherlands 2/5; Japan 15/2; extra time 6/1

Well, the end had to come sooner or later. Japan's excellent progress comes to an end in the quarter finals, but they've won fans and respect all over the world. Some tight defending kept the game scoreless well past the hour, but strikes from Kluivert and Numan took the sting out of the Japanese attack. Resilient to the end, they were unlucky to meet goalkeeper van der Sar on an exceptional day when he made 11 saves, and stopped at least one clear goal.

Germany 1-2 England (after extra time)

Odds: Germany 11/10; England 15/8; extra time 6/4

We couldn't bear to watch. Klinsmann gave the Germans the lead straight after the break, and the Germans looked to be on top after Beckham was sent off for his second yellow of the game. But England attacked through normal time, and it paid off with an Anderton goal on 86. Shearer just missed on 95, and a Bierhoff free kick went inches over the bar on 100. Southgate picked up the rebound, fed it to Michael Owen who went almost the whole length of the pitch and scored.

Semi Finals

Brazil 1-0 Netherlands

Pre-game odds: Brazil 5/6; Netherlands 3/1; extra time 2/1

Brazil make their second straight final, but this is such an unconvincing display that their opposition on Sunday will take heart. The Dutch rattle the defence throughout the match, but poor finishing and some good saves mean that they don't score. A lone strike from Leonardo is the only goal - on 26 minutes - but it looks as though the Dutch will be the next to score. They never do, and go out.

England 1-2 Spain

Pre-game odds: England 5/2; Spain 2/1; extra time 6/4

Spain take their first World Cup final after an exhilirating game against England. The Spaniards took the lead through Batty's deflection of a glorious Morientes shot from 25 yards, but England pulled the game level with a mazy Sheringham run within six minutes. Spain piled on the pressure after the break, and capitalised with a Kiko goal on 64. Their defence then locked the game down, allowing England just three more shots on goal in the game.

Third Place Match

Netherlands 2-1 England

Pre-game odds: England 3/1; Netherlands 5/2; extra time 5/4

The Dutch salvage some respectability by winning a vibrant third-place match and avenging their 4-1 thrashing at Euro 96. Kluivert and van der Saar are the men on target; Owen's unusually direct strike on 77 minutes sets up a thrilling finish, but the Dutch defence just holds out.

The Final

Brazil 2-1 Spain

So, the Brazilians become only the second side to retain the World Cup, following Brazil 58-62. This wasn't a vintage final, marred by ceaseless play-acting, but Ronaldo's goals each side of half time gave Brazil an advantage they were never going to squander. A poor mistake by Dunga let Kiko through on 86 to pull one back, but Brazil attacked for the last six minutes, and could easily have added to their tally in that time.