Italy v France - Match Report
Italy world champions as Zidane and France pay the penalty
Italy won the World Cup final on penalties Sunday after a dramatic final destined to be remembered for the sensational sending off for French captain Zinedine Zidane in his farewell match.
For only the second time in the history of the tournament, the sport's greatest prize was settled by spot-kicks after both teams had finished extra-time deadlocked at 1-1.
Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro (C) celebrates with the trophy after the World Cup 2006 final football game Italy vs.France, 09 July 2006 at Berlin stadium. Italy won the 2006 football World Cup by defeating France on penalties. Italy won the 2006 football World Cup by defeating France on penalties. AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS ASFOURI
Italy defender Fabio Grosso rifled home the Azzurri's winning penalty to clinch a 5-3 victory in the shoot-out after France substitute David Trezeguet had missed his side's second spot-kick.
French midfielder Zinedine Zidane reacts after committing a foul on Italian defender Marco Materazzi (on the pitch), before being sent off during the World Cup 2006 final football game Italy vs.France, 09 July 2006 at Berlin stadium. AFP PHOTO / DDP / STF
It was the first time Italy had won a penalty shoot-out in four attempts and it handed Marcello Lippi's men a fourth World Cup crown to set alongside victories in 1934, 1938 and 1982.
But the penalty denouement seemed almost incidental to the amazing scenes in the second-half of extra time when Zidane was sent off for a moment of off-the-ball madness in the 109th minute.
Having played majestically throughout, Zidane blew his cool and unleashed a vicious headbutt into the chest of Marco Materazzi that sent the Italy defender crashing to the turf.
The incident was missed by referee Horacio Elizondo but Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon remonstrated furiously with the linesman and the official called over the man-in-the-middle.
After a lengthy consultation, Elizondo raced over to the middle and stunned Zidane by brandishing red.
Deafening whistles and jeers rang around the Olympic Stadium from disgusted fans who had not had the benefit of a television replay that vindicated Elizondo's decision entirely.
While Zidane appeared to be subjected to some verbal abuse from Materazzi moments before the incident, his attack on the Italian centre-half had left Elizondo with no choice.
French head coach Raymond Domenech (L) gestures in frustration as French midfielder Zinedine Zidane (R) walks off the pitch after receiving a red card for head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in extra time during the World Cup 2006 final football match between Italy and France at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, 09 July 2006. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ
The match had gone to extra-time after a pulsating 90 minutes of regulation time had finished locked 1-1, Materazzi's headed equaliser cancelling out Zidane's early penalty.
With Italy and France boasting the two meanest defences in the competition going into the match, a tightly contested encounter had been expected.
France striker Thierry Henry was at his scintillating best throughout, surging relentlessly at the Italian defence in a marvelous individual performance and doing his best to upstage Zidane in his final match.
Italian defender Marco Materazzi (C) celebrates with Italian midfielder Francesco Totti (L) and Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro after scoring the first goal for his team during the World Cup 2006 final football game Italy vs.France, 09 July 2006 at Berlin stadium. AFP PHOTO / DDP / JOHANNES EISELE
France had taken the lead in dramatic circumstances, when Materazzi was adjudged to have clipped Florent Malouda in the box with the game minutes old. Italy protested but Elizondo pointed to the spot.
More drama followed with the spot-kick when Zidane opted to dink his shot down the middle over Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The midfield maestro's audacious effort crashed back down off the bar -- and just over the line to give France a 1-0 lead with only seven minutes gone.
Italy responded magnificently however and were soon on level terms. Andrea Pirlo floated in a corner and Materazzi made amends for his part in the penalty drama by outjumping Vieira to bury his header on 19 minutes.
Yet having dominated the opening 45 minutes, Italy retreated in the second half as a rejuvenated France upped the tempo, with Henry and Franck Ribery menacing throughout.
Suddenly it was Italy on the back foot. Wonderful interplay from Henry and Ribery saw the ball swept to Zidane who released Malouda in the area.
A desperate cover tackle from Zambrotta brought the Lyon player crashing down but legitimate French appeals for a penalty were rejected by Elizondo.
Italy had a Luca Toni goal disallowed after 62 minutes while at the other end Henry beat Cannavaro with a sublime piece of skill only to see Buffon save.
Extra-time saw France go closest to breaking the deadlock when Zidane saw his glancing header palmed over the bar by Buffon.
But Zidane ensured he finished his career in disgrace as the minutes wound down and Italy held their nerve to claim the shoot-out drama.