Klose is unable to get the ball under control (Allsport)

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

GERMANY:

OLIVER KAHN: Again showed why he has been the best goalkeeper at the World Cup with some brilliant saves and an overall faultless performance. 9.

THOMAS LINKE: Despite doubts about the Germans prior to the World Cup he is one of the main reasons for their success. Made some vital tackles and bursts forward. 8.

CARSTEN RAMELOW: Was the deepest of the German outfield players and as outstanding against the pace of the Korean counter-attack and their strikers. Also broke forward well. 9.

OLIVER NEUVILLE: The pint-sized German linked up well with Bernd Schneider in the middle, causing problems with his shooting, running and clever passes. 8.

DIETMAR HAMANN: The Liverpool man kept his side on top with some typical tough challenges in midfield and also came back to help out Carsten Ramelow. 8.

MIROSLAV KLOSE: Showed some good touches and quick feet without much success in front of goal, but his display was tarnished by a blatant dive. 6.

MICHAEL BALLACK: Was frustrated for long periods as Sang Chul Yoo refused to leave his side and he was ruled out of the World Cup final through a booking, but he showed great courage to shake off his marker and score the winner. 8.

MARCO BODE: The curly-haired German wing-back often came back to snub out the threat of a Korea break down the left while causing his own problems with his forward bursts and crossing from the right flank. 7.

BERND SCHNEIDER: He is Germany's answer to David Beckham as he is the man that takes all the deadball kicks and his understanding with Oliver Neuville was his side's best route to goal. 8.

CHRISTOPH METZELDER: He linked up well with Marco Bode down his side of the field, but was unable to have his usual impact on the outcome. 7.

TORSTEN FRINGS: The £6million Borussia Dortmund signing was a constant thorn in the Korean side with his overlapping runs and his crossing from the right. 8.

SUBS:

OLIVER BIERHOFF (ON FOR MIROSLAV KLOSE 69 MINUTES): Battled hard and seemed to cause the Koreans more problems than Miroslav Klose. 6.

JENS JEREMIES (ON FOR BERND SCHNEIDER 83 MINUTES): Too late to make an impact.

GERARD ASAMOAH (ON FOR OLIVER NEUVILLE 86 MINUTES): Introduced to waste time.

SOUTH KOREA:

1 WOON JAE LEE: Was not tested nearly enough by the Germans, but everything that was thrown in his direction he handled impeccably. 8.

4 JIN CHEUL CHOI: Defended the Korean goal with his life to keep their opponents' chances limited and must have been injured to have been substituted. 7.

6 SANG CHUL YOO: Was given the task of marking Michael Ballack and he never let him out of his sight until the German got away to score in the second half. His duties prevented him from getting too far forward. 8.

7 TAE YOUNG KIM: South Korea's masked man helped rob Germany of any great chances with some fine interceptions and tackles. Better on the floor than in the air. 8.

10 YOUNG PYO LEE: Looked dangerous with his breaks forward, but his crossing was not as effective as it has been in previous World Cup matches. 7.

14 CHUN SOO LEE: Again looked a real threat anywhere near the box with his passing, shooting and nimble feet. 7.

16 DOO RI CHA: Took the fight to the German defence with his constant battling and riunning at them. He was also not afraid to come back to help out the defence. 8.

18 SUN HONG HWANG: Competed well against the opposition defence, but his persistence never paid off. 7.

20 MYUNG BO HONG: The South Korea skipper produced another heroic performance at the back with great awareness and composure, but no chance with the goal. 9.

21 JI SUNG PARK: Made some threatening breaks from deep and his quick feet and Germany had to be wary of his running, passing and shooting. 7.

22 CHONG GUG SONG: Another South Korean with clever touches and quick feet, but although he did some good things in defence he was unable to get forward enough. 8.

SUBS:

19 JUNG HWAN AHN (ON FOR SUN HONG HWANG 54 MINUTES): Unable to produce any further heroics to take the host nation to the final of the World Cup. 6.

15 MIN SUNG LEE (ON FOR JIN CHEUL CHOI 55 MINUTES): Tried to push his team-mates forward after his arrival, but unable to inspire them to the final. 6.