Italy capped a fantastic tournament by defeating the odds and France 5-3 on penalties. The win which now places Italy as the most successful European team of all time at the World Cup was their first on penalties, as they laid to rest the ghost of so many penalty shoot out miseries and the defeat to France in the Euro 2000 final they so longed to forget.
For France’s ageing squad it was a sad farewell to many who believed that their chance for a second World Cup, just eight years after their first was destiny. However the man they relied on so much to create history was at the centre of controversy after being sent off for headbutting Italian opponent Marco Materazzi in the second half of extra time.
Both teams started with the same sides which begun their semi final experiences. Italy, yet to concede a goal to the opposition began with one up front, leaving Totti space to create from an offensive role ahead of the midfield. Del Piero who scored a wonderful second against the German’s had to settle for a place on the bench.
France began with just Henry up front but with Zidane, Malouda and Ribery all hitting form in the knockout stages it would be a stern test to the Italian defense. In their own rear guard they started with Gallas, Thuram and Makelele, three players for whom it was rumoured to be their last time.
The game started with a flurry as expected and France took an early lead through their talisman Zidane. It was the captain who played the ball to set up the penalty before Materazzi tripped Malouda to give Zidane the chances to score a third goal in a World Cup final.
His chipped penalty rebounded off the underside of the bar and was clearly over the line despite Italian protests. A wonderful start for the man who is retiring from football after the tournament and a great way for France to begin their second final in history.
Understandably buoyed by the goal Henry continued to find space and supported by Malouda and Ribery the trio caused problems for the Italian defense. Marshalled by Cannavaro Italy held out and were able to hit back quickly with some chances of their own.
Some good work from Camoranesi down the right won a corner, which was swung onto the head of Materazzi who headed his second goal of the tournament to pull the Azzurri level. Despite the presence of Ribery on the line, the ball was powered into the back of the net and gave Italy a much needed tonic after a torrid start.
It was Italy who continued to threaten and they were unlucky not to score from their next set pieces as Pirlo swung the ball onto the head of Toni. The Fiorentina front man met the ball with great force but found the cross bar instead of the back of the net with his first effort of the final.
France were rocking and was up to Zidane to bring his side back into it. He obliged to lead his team as Henry fed by Buffon nearly managed to put France back ahead and Malouda had a header from a Zi Zou cross which just ghosted wide of the post.
At halftime the game was fairly even with both sides having spells of intense pressure during the forty five minute period.
The second half began with France becoming dominant. Henry led the charge spinning twice with the ball before just failing to lay Malouda in. The Arsenal frontman also broke free from Cannavaro in the early stages and forced a save from Buffon who tipped the ball round the post.
Italy could not cope with the onslaught and Ribery fired just wide and Henry again tormented the defense with an awe inspiring run before challenging Buffon once more, the keeper however was up to the task and held onto the curling shot.
Rest bite almost came from Italy in the form of a goal but a header from Luca Toni was adjudged to be offside by the linesman, a correct decision was made but it was marginal. Pirlo also went close with a free kick during a spell of possession but hit his shot just wide and despite good link up play from Totti and Toni, nothing came of the momentum.
France suffered an injury to Vieira and immediately the pendulum swung their way as Zidane nearly scored with a curling free kick and Buffon cleared unsurely from another Zidane free kick.
Time ebbed away however and the 2006 final, like the 1994 and 1998 final went to extra time.
With both sides eager to give nothing away it was an abject stalemate in the first period. France introduced Trezeguet for Ribery but not before he had played a smart one two with Malouda before poking wide. Sangal almost gave Zidane a dream finale as he found the captain with a cross, the header from the former Real man was on target but tipped over the bar from Buffon.
The second fifteen minutes was quiet chances wise but dramatic all the same. With the ball up the other end of the pitch the referee was alerted to an injury by a hoard of Italian players surrounding the linesman. Unable to see because of the distance of the decision away from him Horacio Elizondo, the match referee consulted with his linesman and after a short pause dismissed Zidane for violent conduct.
Television replays showed the justification of the decision as Zidane had thrust his head into the chest of Materazzi after an exchange of words between the pair on the edge of the Italian box.
With the lull of the game evident due to the shock of the red car, penalties was perhaps the only thing that could top the drama of the last ten minutes incident.
Italy, notoriously bad on penalty kicks chose to go first and with great efficiency struck the net with their opening opportunity. Wiltord replied Pirlo’s kick with an equally good strike to Buffon’s left.
Materazzi stepped up next and fired into the corner before Trezeguet against hist team mate Buffon stepped up and missed for France. His powerfully struck kick hit the upright but unlike dismissed team mate Zidane he was unable to strike it lucky from his kick.
Both teams continued to score with Sangal hitting a pressure penalty for the French as their hopes lay with Barthez before the final kick for the Italians. As they held their breath on the halfway line the tension was evident on the face of the kicker Grosso, whose first strike against Germany had put them in the final.
He obliged to be the hero again as his penalty sent Barthez the wrong way and gave Italy the glory of winning the 2006 World Cup for the first time in twenty four years. Completing their own Italian job the nation led by Cannavaro and who’s national game is surrounded in controversy were able to show their strength through adversity.
Lifting the trophy to great roars after almost an eternal wait, the captain of Italy and best player in the tournament who plays his club football in Italy was able to create the proudest moment in his career by lifting the biggest prize in the World and end Italy’s long wait for a World Cup final victory.
As they celebrated, France trudged off the pitch left to ponder what might have been.
For France’s ageing squad it was a sad farewell to many who believed that their chance for a second World Cup, just eight years after their first was destiny. However the man they relied on so much to create history was at the centre of controversy after being sent off for headbutting Italian opponent Marco Materazzi in the second half of extra time.
Both teams started with the same sides which begun their semi final experiences. Italy, yet to concede a goal to the opposition began with one up front, leaving Totti space to create from an offensive role ahead of the midfield. Del Piero who scored a wonderful second against the German’s had to settle for a place on the bench.
France began with just Henry up front but with Zidane, Malouda and Ribery all hitting form in the knockout stages it would be a stern test to the Italian defense. In their own rear guard they started with Gallas, Thuram and Makelele, three players for whom it was rumoured to be their last time.
The game started with a flurry as expected and France took an early lead through their talisman Zidane. It was the captain who played the ball to set up the penalty before Materazzi tripped Malouda to give Zidane the chances to score a third goal in a World Cup final.
His chipped penalty rebounded off the underside of the bar and was clearly over the line despite Italian protests. A wonderful start for the man who is retiring from football after the tournament and a great way for France to begin their second final in history.
Understandably buoyed by the goal Henry continued to find space and supported by Malouda and Ribery the trio caused problems for the Italian defense. Marshalled by Cannavaro Italy held out and were able to hit back quickly with some chances of their own.
Some good work from Camoranesi down the right won a corner, which was swung onto the head of Materazzi who headed his second goal of the tournament to pull the Azzurri level. Despite the presence of Ribery on the line, the ball was powered into the back of the net and gave Italy a much needed tonic after a torrid start.
It was Italy who continued to threaten and they were unlucky not to score from their next set pieces as Pirlo swung the ball onto the head of Toni. The Fiorentina front man met the ball with great force but found the cross bar instead of the back of the net with his first effort of the final.
France were rocking and was up to Zidane to bring his side back into it. He obliged to lead his team as Henry fed by Buffon nearly managed to put France back ahead and Malouda had a header from a Zi Zou cross which just ghosted wide of the post.
At halftime the game was fairly even with both sides having spells of intense pressure during the forty five minute period.
The second half began with France becoming dominant. Henry led the charge spinning twice with the ball before just failing to lay Malouda in. The Arsenal frontman also broke free from Cannavaro in the early stages and forced a save from Buffon who tipped the ball round the post.
Italy could not cope with the onslaught and Ribery fired just wide and Henry again tormented the defense with an awe inspiring run before challenging Buffon once more, the keeper however was up to the task and held onto the curling shot.
Rest bite almost came from Italy in the form of a goal but a header from Luca Toni was adjudged to be offside by the linesman, a correct decision was made but it was marginal. Pirlo also went close with a free kick during a spell of possession but hit his shot just wide and despite good link up play from Totti and Toni, nothing came of the momentum.
France suffered an injury to Vieira and immediately the pendulum swung their way as Zidane nearly scored with a curling free kick and Buffon cleared unsurely from another Zidane free kick.
Time ebbed away however and the 2006 final, like the 1994 and 1998 final went to extra time.
With both sides eager to give nothing away it was an abject stalemate in the first period. France introduced Trezeguet for Ribery but not before he had played a smart one two with Malouda before poking wide. Sangal almost gave Zidane a dream finale as he found the captain with a cross, the header from the former Real man was on target but tipped over the bar from Buffon.
The second fifteen minutes was quiet chances wise but dramatic all the same. With the ball up the other end of the pitch the referee was alerted to an injury by a hoard of Italian players surrounding the linesman. Unable to see because of the distance of the decision away from him Horacio Elizondo, the match referee consulted with his linesman and after a short pause dismissed Zidane for violent conduct.
Television replays showed the justification of the decision as Zidane had thrust his head into the chest of Materazzi after an exchange of words between the pair on the edge of the Italian box.
With the lull of the game evident due to the shock of the red car, penalties was perhaps the only thing that could top the drama of the last ten minutes incident.
Italy, notoriously bad on penalty kicks chose to go first and with great efficiency struck the net with their opening opportunity. Wiltord replied Pirlo’s kick with an equally good strike to Buffon’s left.
Materazzi stepped up next and fired into the corner before Trezeguet against hist team mate Buffon stepped up and missed for France. His powerfully struck kick hit the upright but unlike dismissed team mate Zidane he was unable to strike it lucky from his kick.
Both teams continued to score with Sangal hitting a pressure penalty for the French as their hopes lay with Barthez before the final kick for the Italians. As they held their breath on the halfway line the tension was evident on the face of the kicker Grosso, whose first strike against Germany had put them in the final.
He obliged to be the hero again as his penalty sent Barthez the wrong way and gave Italy the glory of winning the 2006 World Cup for the first time in twenty four years. Completing their own Italian job the nation led by Cannavaro and who’s national game is surrounded in controversy were able to show their strength through adversity.
Lifting the trophy to great roars after almost an eternal wait, the captain of Italy and best player in the tournament who plays his club football in Italy was able to create the proudest moment in his career by lifting the biggest prize in the World and end Italy’s long wait for a World Cup final victory.
As they celebrated, France trudged off the pitch left to ponder what might have been.