2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (inter-confederation play-offs) played a two-legged home-and-away series. The two winners, decided on aggregate score, qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. The first legs were played on 10 and 20 November 2001, and the second legs were played on 15 and 25 November 2001. <section begin=playoff1 /> <section end=playoff1 /> Republic of Ireland won 2–1 on aggregate and qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. <section begin=playoff2 /> <section end=playoff2 /> Uruguay won 3–1 on aggregate and qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. There were 7 goals scored in 4 matches, for an average of 1.75
2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage Irmatov took charge of his ninth World Cup match, breaking the record of most World Cup games officiated, which he previously held jointly with Joël Quiniou of France, Benito Archundia of Mexico, and Jorge Larrionda of Uruguay. <section begin=j4 /><section end=j4 /> The two teams had met in 21 previous matches, including in the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup (their only previous encounter in the tournament's history), won by Brazil 2–0. While Germany kept the same starting line-up as their quarter-final against France, Brazil made two changes: defender and captain Thiago Silva was suspended for the match due