Germany's Kahn blames himself for Ronaldo's first goal

Germany captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn says his first mistake of the tournament allowed Ronaldo to put Brazil on the way to their fifth World Cup win.

Kahn had only conceded one goal before today’s Yokohama final and was awarded the Lev Yashin award as outstanding goalkeeper in the finals this month ahead of the game.

But he failed to hold or slap away a Rivaldo shot from distance which bounced in front of him and rebounded off his body to allow Ronaldo to clip in a close range finish.

Ronaldo beat him again in the 79th minute to seal the 2-0 win.

"Of course it's really frustrating when you make your one mistake of the whole tournament and you get punished like that," said Kahn.

"It's normal to make a mistake - but it's ten times worse when it comes in the final. You have to hold onto such a ball.”

"Nothing can console me about that - but life goes on.

"You're always down in the dumps after you lose in a final. What the future holds, who knows. It's too difficult to talk about that tonight.”

"We came here wondering if we could get past the first round. But we are vice-champions and we have put German football right back at the top table of the world game. That is very important.

"I think this tournament - and the team too, as regards their spirit - were both great. I am convinced that some day we will achieve something great.”