Two goals from Ronaldo secured the World Cup for Brazil as they claimed a deserved victory over Germany in the final in Yokohama.
The Inter Milan star struck twice in the second half to settle an entertaining contest.
It is the fifth time Brazil have won football's ultimate prize, cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition.
A World Cup of shocks finished in familiar fashion - with wild celebrations among the gold-clad South American players and fans.
Brazil captain Cafu, who became the first player to appear in three successive finals, accepted the trophy in an emotional prize-giving ceremony.
The victory completed a remarkable journey for Luiz Felipe Scolari's team, who had been written off before the World Cup following a poor qualification campaign.
Ronaldo confirmed his reputation as the world's best striker by winning the Golden Boot award for the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals.
It was a story of personal retribution for Ronaldo, who made up for his anonymous display in the final four years ago when France beat Brazil 3-0.
He also erased the memory of a dismal first-half performance, when he squandered three gilt-edged chances.
Ronaldo celebrates with coach Scolari
Germany had their moments in an open match - but the European hopefuls had no answer to Ronaldo's predatory instincts.
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on the personal battle between Ronaldo and Oliver Kahn, the leading striker and goalkeeper in the 2002 World Cup.
And it was the Brazilian who won a fascinating duel, as Kahn's blunder handed him the first goal after 67 minutes.
A speculative shot from Rivaldo should have been comfortably collected by Kahn, but instead he spilled the ball at the feet of Ronaldo, who tucked it into the net.
Twelve minutes later and the game was out of sight for Brazil.
Rivaldo's dummy deceived the German defence and Ronaldo beat Kahn with an excellent side-foot shot.
It had looked so different in the early stages, when Germany - inspired by Bernd Schneider - were the most dangerous team.
It's a fantastic feeling to be a Brazilian tonight
Predictions that Germany would sit back and defend proved way off the mark as they took the game to back-pedalling Brazil with some neat passing moves.
Brazil threatened on the break, though - and Ronaldo should twice have given them the lead after being sent clean through on goal by the livewire Ronaldinho.
But Ronaldo blew both chances, as first he prodded a shot wide of goal and then missed his kick as Kahn raced off his line to collect the ball.
With half-time approaching, the Brazilians began to step up the pressure.
Midfielder Kleberson twice came close - breaking clear only to scuff the ball past the post and then curling a shot which smacked against Kahn's crossbar.
And in first-half injury time Ronaldo had his third great opportunity - but this time Kahn kept out his shot from point-blank range.
Germany began the second half in exactly the way they had started the first - on the attack.
And after Jens Jeremies' header was blocked on the line by Edmilson, Oliver Neuville's thundering free-kick was brilliantly turned onto his own post by Brazil keeper Marcos.
But just when it looked like a close-fought contest could be going the distance, Ronaldo took centre stage.
And his earlier misses were forgotten as he struck twice in the space of 12 minutes to give the South Americans yet another world crown.
Germany: Kahn, Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder, Frings, Schneider,Jeremies (Asamoah 77), Hamann, Bode (Ziege 84), Neuville,Klose (Bierhoff 73).
Subs Not Used: Baumann, Bohme, Butt, Jancker, Kehl, Lehmann,Rehmer, Ricken.
Brazil: Marcos, Edmilson, Lucio, Roque Junior, Cafu, Kleberson,Gilberto, Carlos, Ronaldinho (Juninho Paulista 85), Rivaldo,Ronaldo (Denilson 90).
Subs Not Used: Belleti, Ceni, Dida, Edilson, Junior, Kaka,Luizao, Polga, Ricardinho, Vampeta.
Booked: Roque Junior.
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).
OFFICIAL MATCH STATS |
| Germany | Brazil |
Goals | 0 | 2 |
Shots on goal | 12 | 9 |
Shots on target | 4 | 7 |
Fouls committed | 21 | 19 |
Corner kicks | 13 | 3 |
Penalty kicks | 0 | 0 |
Caught offside | 1 | 0 |
Own goals | 0 | 0 |
Yellow cards | 1 | 1 |
Red cards | 0 | 0 |
Ball possession (%) | 56 | 44 |
ACTUAL PLAYING TIME | |
First half 28 mins | Second half 22 mins |