Germany and Brazil will meet Tuesday afternoon for the second time at the World Cup. The two countries have won a combined eight World Cups and been to 14 finals, but before the semifinal in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and Germany have met just once on the world’s biggest stage: the 2002 World Cup final.

In Yokohama, Japan, a Brazilian squad led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and 22-year-old Ronaldinho faced Miroslav Klose, Michael Ballack and Germany. Brazil breezed through the group stages, and knockout out Belgium (2-0), England (2-1) and Turkey (1-0) en route to the final. Germany beat Paraguay in the Round of 16 (1-0), won a close game with the United States in the quarterfinals (1-0), and then eliminated co-host South Korea in the semifinals (1-0).

Germany wasted a few chances to score in what was a tremendously exciting opening 20 minutes. Klose was twice within inches of latching onto a cross into the penalty area within a few yards of Marcos’ goal, but was seconds late. Ronaldo torched the German back line to get a one-on-one opportunity with Oliver Kahn in the 19th minute, but stabbed his shot wide of the post. It was the sort of opening soccer fans dream about, and a far cry from the cagey quarterfinal games in Brazil.

Brazil launched an assault on Kahn’s goal just before halftime, but a combination of the crossbar and a tremendous save kept Germany level. Kleberson rattled the goal with a tremendous strike from outside the penalty area in the 45th minute. Seconds before the whistle for halftime blew, Roberto Carlos found Ronaldo unmarked in the center of the box, but Kahn saved the striker’s point-blank shot.

Germany came out strong to start the second half. Jens Jeremies had a header cleared off the line, and Oliver Neuville nearly scored a wonder strike on a long free kick.

Ronaldo, however, would not be denied. The 2002 World Cup’s top scorer finally beat Kahn in the 67th minute, following up on a shot from Rivaldo. Kahn tried to catch Rivaldo’s shot but the ball spilled out of his hands, falling to the feet of the world’s greatest striker.

Ronaldo doubled Brazil’s lead 12 minutes later. Kleberson crossed into the box after along run down the right side, and Rivaldo and Ronaldo combined for another classic goal. Rivaldo dummied the ball and let it run to Ronaldo, who slid it perfectly inside the far post.

Brazil held on to win 2-0, capturing its fifth World Cup.

Germany finished as the runner-up for the fourth time World Cup history. The Germans have made it to the semifinals of the last two World Cups, but have not won it since 1990.