Brazil came back from one goal down to thrash Japan 4-1 in the final World Cup Group F game that took place in Dortmund on Thursday. Superstar Ronaldo became the joint highest scorer in World Cup history with Gerd Muller with a tally of 14 goals after netting in a brace for Brazil in the dying minutes of the first-half and in the 81st minute. Juninho scored Brazil's second goal in the 53rd minute, while Gilberto da Silva netted in the third goal seven minutes later. With this result, Brazil advanced to the round of 16 of the World Cup as Group F leaders with nine points, while Japan exited the tournament after tailing the group standings with only one point. Japan kicked-off the match in an excelled form and applied pressure on the Brazilian defense but without avail until Keiji Tamada managed to break the deadlock at the 34th minute from a throbbing drive that found its way into the net. After Tamada's goal, the Brazilians picked up their pace and uncovered their true face and took matters into their own hand by switching the run of the game and launching a string of attacks onto the Japanese defense. Ronaldo retaliated for Brazil and leveled in the dying minutes of the first-half after heading in an inch-perfect Cicinho head-cross from the right flank. Juninho gave Brazil the lead in the 53rd minute from a ground-shattering strike from the edge of the Japanese area, while Gilberto netted in the third goal on the hour-mark after connecting with a Ronaldinho cross and firing the ball into the net.
Ronaldo secured the Brazilians passage to the second round with his second goal, the team's fourth, after drove home from 20 yards. The Brazilians, who won their 10th consecutive match, played their best game despite the absence of stars such as Roberto Carlos, Adriano and Cafu. Elsewhere, Australia grabbed the second qualifying ticket in Group F to the last 16 after holding Croatia to a 2-2 draw in the thrilling match that took place in Stuttgart. Darijo Srna put Croatia up front early from a free-kick before Craig Moore scored the equalizer for Australia from a spot-kick. Croatia retaliated and grabbed the lead once again after Nico Kovac launched an inch-perfect strike that went straight into the Aussie's net before Harry Kewell levelled again for Australia 12 minutes from time. Australia come second in the Group F standings with a tally of four points, while Croatia finished third with only two goals. The match also witnessed three red cards given to Croatia's Dario Simic, Josip Simunic and Australia's Brett Emerton for different offenses. The Aussies will next play against Group E winners Italy in the second round, while Brazil will be facing Ghana.
