A Ronaldo-inspired Brazil battled back from a goal down to beat Japan and eliminate the Asian champions from the tournament.
The Real Madrid forward equalled Gerd Muller's World Cup scoring record of 14 with a goal in each half after Keiji Tamada had given Japan an unlikely lead in the 34th minute.
Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi frustrated Brazil with a string of fine saves until first-half injury-time when Ronaldo equalised.
Second-half goals from Juninho Pernambucano and Gilberto guaranteed Brazil the win before Ronaldo rounded off the victory with a curling finish from the edge of the area.
The result was no less than Carlos Alberto Parreira's team deserved after a marauding opening to the Group F game which somehow failed to yield a goal for the world champions.
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