Togo 1 South Korea 2
There was a time when dreaming was easy. Togo were a goal up, the heat was searing under the roof, and an entire continent sensed a victory.
But reality hit home in the second half when Togo, punished as much for their naivety as for the dismissal of Jean-Paul Abalo, conceded two goals.
It was clear that Korea, semi-finalists on home territory four years ago, were far too experienced for a nation that had never previously qualified for the World Cup.
An illustration of how the Koreans have learnt came in the final minute.
They were handed a direct free kick outside the Togo penalty area. Instead of going for goal, however, the Koreans passed the ball back towards their own defenders. Even their own supporters jeered, for this was an unfortunate way to end what had been an interesting match.
Mohamed Kader gave Togo a deserved lead just after the half-hour mark, controlling the ball with his thigh and shooting low, across the face of the goal, and beyond the flailing arms of Woon-Jae Lee. It was a marvellous moment, one that pleased the neutrals as well as Africans all over Germany.
Kader nearly made it two just after half-time.
But then came the inexperience. Then came the naivety.
Then came Korea's chance to revive memories of their successes four years ago.
Abalo's second booking saw him sent off when he committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area. As if to rub salt into the wound, Lee Chun-Soo scored from the free kick. A goal apiece and surely only one winner.
Ahn Jung-Hwan, a substitute, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, turning on the edge of the box to fire a deflected shot high into the roof of the goal.
Late on, with the match going from end to end, Emmanuel Adebayor wasted a good chance for Togo when he fouled his marker when in a scoring position.
Togo battled valiantly, sometimes with quality football, but they still have much to learn. Korea have been learning since their wretched performance at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.
It took them nearly 50 years to look as if they deserve to be part of the World Cup scene. Togo will not have to wait that long. Another five days, perhaps.
