Twists and turns of final night in Group F

By Pete Jenson Jun 22, 2006, 23:55 GMT

Berlin - The final match day in Group F provided everything fans enjoy - goals and plenty of excitement. What it also provided were plenty of twists and turns with plenty of action.

21.00: (local time) It's kick-off time in both matches. In Dortmund BRAZIL are already through. JAPAN need to win and hope Croatia beat Australia. In Stuttgart AUSTRALIA know a win will see them qualify and even a draw could see them through if Brazil beat Japan. CROATIA must win and hope Japan don't.

21.02: BRAZIL and CROATIA through. A dream start for Croatia. Mark Viduka concedes a free-kick and Darijo Srna rifles it into the top left-hand corner. It's Croatia's first goal of the tournament but as thing stands it will be enough to see them through.

21.34: BRAZIL and CROATIA through. The unthinkable has happened in Dortmund. Japan have taken the lead against Brazil with Keiji Tamada shooting past Dida. As things stand the Japanese now just need a second goal to reach the knock-out stages.

21.39: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. Australia are back in the last 16 as Craig Moore scores a penalty to level proceedings against Croatia. All they need to do now is not concede and they are through to face Italy in the next round.

21.45: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. A touch of reality returns to proceedings in Stuttgart with a Brazilian equaliser. It was revealed in the Spanish press that Ronaldo arrived at the World Cup weighing in at 90.5 kilos. The heavyweight striker heads in Cicinho's cross to level the scores.

22.11: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. It's all over now for Zico's Japan. Brazil have scored again this time through Juninho. Japan will go home, World Cup holders Brazil will win their group. All eyes now on Dortmund to see who will follow them into the next round.

22.14: BRAZIL and CROATIA through. A nightmare moment for Australia keeper Zeljka Kalac who fumbles a shot from Nico Kovac which means Croatia are back in front and back in the last 16.

22.16: BRAZIL and CROATIA through. It has no bearing on group positions but Brazil have scored again this time through Gilberto to make it 3-1.

22.28: BRAZIL and CROATIA through. Drama in Stuttgart as Australians Cahill and Aloisi appear to have bundled the ball and the Croatian goalkeeper over the line. English ref Graham Poll says no and he is proved right by action replays.

22.35: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. The Australians are in dreamland. Harry Kewell a knock-on from John Aloisi and the Socceroos are back in poll position.

22.38: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. The other game is incidental but not for Ronaldo who scores again to equal Gerd Mueller's record 14 goals in World Cups.

22.42: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. The Croatians have got a mountain to climb now because Simic has been sent off for his second bookable offence. Surely the Croatians can't pull back with a one man disadvantage.

22.43: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. Despite the red card Croatia almost score. Craig Moore clears off the line from Igor Tudor.

22.44: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. Now Australia are down to 10- men with Brett Emerton sent-off. He won't be facing Italy, even if it seems Australia are.

22.47: BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through. Chaos in Dortmund as Graham Poll gives Josip Simunic his second yellow card but does not send him off.

FULL TIME: Brazil have won 4-1 and top the group. Australia hold on for the draw and are through. Graham Poll books Simunic for what appears to the third time and this time he does get a red.

BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA through.