Italy were crowned World Champions after a faultless penalty shoot out display but the match will be best remembered for Zinedine Zidane getting himself sent off in his last appearance for France. Zidane put France ahead after seven minutes from the penalty spot and became only the fourth player to score three goals in World Cup final matches, joining Geoff Hurst of England and both Vava and Pele of Brazil in this exclusive club. His goal also ended Italy’s clean sheet streak of four matches, one short of the World Cup best set by the Italian side of 1990. France struggled to cope with Italy’s set pieces and Marco Materazzi headed in from Andrea Pirlo’s corner to draw level after 19 minutes. With the match level at 1-1 after 90 minutes at even skinner draw odds of 9/5 how ironic that the two goalscorers would be embroiled in controversy with the match heading for a penalty shoot out. After 109 minutes, Zidane was sent off for head butting Materazzi after the former Everton defender seemingly said something to offend the veteran Frenchman.
No further goals were scored and five weeks of action would be determined on penalties, but it was the Italians who would vanquish the demons of 1994 and emerge victorious. Andrea Pirlo scored for Italy and Sylvain Wiltord drew the French level. Marco Materazzi scored but substitute David Trezeguet cannoned his effort off the crossbar. Daniele De Rossi put Italy 3-1 ahead but Eric Abidal scored to make it 3-2. Alesanndro Del Piero scored and so did Willy Sagnol. With the score at 4-3 in Italy’s favour, Fabio Grosso could win the Cup with a successful spot kick. He duly obliged and Italy won the match and indeed the World Cup, 5-3 on penalties.
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