In the fifth minute of Brazil's second-round game against Ghana, soccer star Ronaldo ran onto a skillfully played through ball from midfielder Kaka, eluded goalkeeper Richard Kingson and then sent the ball into the open net. The legendary Ronaldo scored for his team and was swarmed by his teammates.
The Brazilians are accustomed to implement long penetrating passes to build their goals, but Ronaldo's 11th straight tournament win, Brazil took another step toward a fourth straight World Cup finals, and will next face France in a replay of the 1998 final.
Brazil took advantage of Ghana's keenness to attack, scoring all three of its goals on through passes or counterattacks. At the 84th minute, Ricardinho played an easy ball over the defense that Ze Roberto ran onto. Ze Roberto flicked the ball past the onrushing Kingson and then touched it into the goal.
While Brazil was seeking a record sixth title, Ghana was trying to become the third African team to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Senegal did it in 2002 and Cameroon made it in 1990. No African team has ever reached the semifinals. Ghana finished second to three-time champion Italy in Group E, which also included the Czech Republic the United States.
