The outcome, 1-0 in favour of the Samba Kings, makes them the first team to win eight consecutive matches in the World Cup finals, but yet, there is a lingering bad aftertaste.

For contrary to expectations the stars of the evening put in a pretty listless performance.

Another keenly awaited encounter -- between France and Switzerland -- didn't quite sizzle either. The 1998 world champions have now gone goalless in four World Cup games -- their last scoring game being the 1998 final, when they beat Brazil 3-0.

And in the third match of Tuesday, debutant Togo gave South Korea some nervous moments -- at half-time the two teams were 1-1 -- before substitute Ahn Jung-hwan scored the winner.

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All the three fancied teams were made to struggle on Tuesday, showing that the World Cup final will not necessarily follow a script.

New, unlikely heroes may come out every day, and the giants may not have it easy against the Davids.

What do you think about Tuesday's encounters? Will Ronaldo find his fire again? Is Zidane finished? Can Henry revive his poor scoring record for France? Will Ronaldinho be truly this World Cup's star? What, in your opinion, were the electric moments of Tuesday's matches?