Kahn is consoled by referee Collina. (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Yokohama

Germany captain Oliver Kahn was left inconsolable and forlorn following the howling error which helped hand Brazil their fifth World Cup.

Kahn, rated by many as the world's number one goalkeeper, proved he is fallible in the 68th minute of the final at the Yokohama International Stadium when he spilled a 20-yard drive from Rivaldo.

Ronaldo needed no second invitation as he gratefully accepted the mistake, tapping in the opener from four yards, leaving Kahn looking as if wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.

Although damaging ligaments to the ring finger of his right hand minutes earlier, Kahn did not make that an excuse for the goal, and there was nothing the 33-year-old could do about Ronaldo's second 10 minutes later.

Kahn was beaten by a fine 16-yard finish in off his left-hand post following a clever dummy by Rivaldo to a right-wing cross from Kleberson, leaving Germany going home empty handed for the fourth time in seven finals.

At least Kahn had the dignity to speak after the game.

He said: "I don't think I can be consoled. Words of consolation have no effect.

"I am fully aware this is the only mistake I have made in seven World Cup matches, but it is one which was brutally punished.

"Looking to the future is too hard to do, but the memories of this World Cup will be very good and cannot be destroyed by an unlucky goal.

"I will not make the mistake of saying everything was bad at this World Cup.

"This would not do justice to how Germany performed. The team did a tremendous job.

"When we came to the World Cup few people thought we would survive the group stage, which we did. We came back with a vengeance to finish as runners up, which is impressive.

"We led Germany to new heights, heights that nobody thought would be possible, and we can continue to build for the future.

"I think we have put Germany, and German football, back to where it belongs - among the top four."

Kahn certainly does not want to see referee Pierluigi Collina again in a hurry as the influential Italian official has become something of a bogeyman figure to the Bayern Munich keeper.

"While Collina is a world-class referee, there is no doubting he just doesn't bring us luck does he?" said Kahn.

"With him we (Bayern) lost in the Champions League final to Manchester United. We lost at home to England in that infamous 5-1 defeat, and now this.

Maybe it will be fourth-time lucky."

Coach Rudi Voller recognised the part Kahn has played in Germany's tournament in the Far East, knowing they would almost certainly not have reached the final if it had not been for his heroics in previous matches.

"We have to be happy with what we've achieved here in this World Cup, particularly when you take into account how many injured players we've had during the course of the tournament," stated Voller.

"First of all we survived our group matches. We played well at times and we owe a lot to Oliver Kahn who did some fantastic things."

A respectful Voller was fully aware Germany had been beaten by the better team as he added: "There's no doubt about it, Brazil deserve to be world champions.

"They showed it, not just against us, but in other games as well. They're very good and very strong going forward.

"They're a tough team for anybody to play because they're also big and fast, and they have a good goalkeeper, and we can only pay them a compliment as world champions."