World Cup Final

Italy 1 – 1 France
Italy win 5-4 on penalties after second period of extra time.

France played the better football throughout the match, also scoring first in the 7th minute with Zinedine Zidane converting an early penalty. Only 12 minutes later Materazzi put in a header from a Pirlo corner to even it up. France were in danger from Pirlo’s well-placed corners, with another header hitting the bar as Italy owned the ball in the air. After the early pressure both teams settled in and chances dried up.

France had to play with only 10 men after Zidane, one of the best players of all time and best player in this World Cup, was sent off in extra time. Zizou, as he’s known, headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest in backplay during extra time. He was shown a straight red card for his apparentlly unprovoked brain explosion, finishing his last game for France in disgrace.

So Italy, who only went through the second round thanks to a dubious penalty against Australia in the 94th minute of that match, have won the World Cup.

And that, of course, finishes my posts on the 2006 FIFA World Cup. I have to congratulate the Australian team, who really played some fantastic football against both Japan and Brazil. Yes, they played well enough against Croatia to go through to the second round, and well enough against the World Champions, Italy, to keep them scoreless for 94 minutes, but those first two games showed off some of the best football of the entire tournament. Am I biased? Of course I am! I look forward to football taking off in Australia, and seeing the next generation of talent come through to replace the ageing and retiring stars of this World Cup campaign. Bring on 2010, and let’s hope we can see the World Cup hosted in Australia sometime in the next 12 years.

Next event? Rugby World Cup 2007 – France.