2006 World Cup: Italy’s Fourth Title While Zidane Loses It

Hero of the French 1998 World Cup title, Zinedine Zidane, also stood out in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The image the Frenchman left behind was rather negative. The playmaker managed to steer France into yet another World Cup final.

But instead of going into the hall of fame, Zidane ended up losing his head: Marco Materazzi showered him with verbal insults, and in retaliation, he headbutted him and was sent off in his last ever match. In the end, Italy won the 2006 World Cup on penalties and their fourth title.

2006 World Cup Best Defense

The Italian win reinforced the efficiency of their defensive system. The Azzurra finished the 2006 World Cup, conceding only two goals, the best record in the tournament’s history. Not surprisingly, Italian defender and Captain Fabio Cannavaro was elected FIFA world player of the year in 2006.

However, he did have help from other big names like Gianluigi Buffon, holding midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, fall-backs Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso, as well as the controversial Materazzi.

Managed by Marcello Lippi, Italy once more proved that they are always in with a chance. As in 1982, when they won their third title, the Azzurra arrived in Germany picking up the pieces after a match-fixing scandal.

However, instead of deflating the players, the problems seemed to unite them even more, and at the end, when Cannavaro lifted the trophy, the group’s strength was evident in his grin.

The Italian Journey

In the group stage, the Italians did not have a lot of difficulties. They managed two victories against Ghana, the Czech Republic, and a draw against the United States.

In the round of 16, a hard match against Australia, midfielder Franceso Totti saved the day in injury time from the penalty spot. Against Ukraine, in the quarter-final, a convincing 3-0 win, as they eliminated the tournament’s last surprise.

However, the 2006 World Cup semi-final was a hard match. Their opponent was Germany, the hosts, coached by Jürgen Klinsmann, who had won over the fans by playing beautiful football.

The game was deadlocked, and it remained a goalless draw in regular time. However, in extra time, Fabio Grosso opened the score. And then, Del Piero got Italy’s second, ending the German dream.

Germany would still finish third, beating Portgual, and would end the 2006 World Cup tournament with the best attack, 14 goals. Miroslav Klose scored five times and finished the competition as the top scorer.

The World Cup figures also showed that the Germans met the challenge of staging the tournament for the second time. In total, 3.359,439 people went to the stadiums. The number of viewers across the world was estimated at over 30 billion.

2006 World Cup Minnows

Among the 32 teams, Togo, Angola, Trinidad, and Tobago won the hearts of many people. But there were no real surprises. However, the Ivory Coast showed good football in their first match.

But it was not enough to get them through to the knockout stage. Nevertheless, Ghana faced Brazil in the 2006 World Cup round of 16, losing 3-0.

Another team that stood out was Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

With Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm, Portugal matched their best campaign in history, finishing the tournament in fourth place, something they had not done since Eusébio in 1966.

The French Contingent

After a slow start in the group stage, with two draws and a victory, France got going in the round of 16, when they beat Spain 3-1. In the quarter-final, they would play Brazil. All the better for Zidane and Thierry Henry.

The semi-final against Portugal also gave the French a happy ending, with Zidane scoring from the penalty spot. However, in the final, he would lose his head when insulted by Materazzi and, in retaliation, headbutted the Italian on the chest.

Zidane was sent off, and the footage of him losing his head was broadcast worldwide.

It worked out well for the Italians, who overcame the trauma of losing a World Cup final on penalties and winning their fourth title, being only behind Brazil in relation to World Cup wins.

Indeed, the match ended with a 1-1 draw after extra time, and the 2006 World Cup would be decided in a penalty shootout. The Italians converted all their efforts, while the French, without Zidane, watched as Trezeguet’s shot hit the bar.

The Magic Square

Brazil arrived in Germany more favorite than ever. After all, the team coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira had the so-called ‘Magic Square’: Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Adriano. Brazil put on an exhibition in the 2005 Confederations Cup final against Argentina.

With Robinho playing beside Adriano, Argentina barely saw the ball. The 4-1 win excites even the most skeptical fans.

With Ronaldo in the group, Brazil arrived in Weggis, a little town in Switzerland, for their final preparation stage before the 2006 World Cup.

However, the party-like environment would claim its toll later. Adriano and Ronaldo were not in shape.

Brazil’s 2006 World Cup

The same offensive system also did not inspire a lot of confidence. Brazil won three matches in the 2006 World Cup group stage and qualified without problems. In the round of 16, an easy 3-0 win over Ghana.

Nevertheless, the dream of the sixth title would end in the quarter-final. Parreira fielded a more cautious team, choosing to use Juninho in midfield, with only Ronaldo and a striker. But not even this was enough to stop Zidane and his teammates.

France’s number 10 played one of his best World Cup matches and took the free-kick, which Henry got onto the end of to score the winning goal. Once more, Zidane played the role of Brazil’s executioner at the 2006 World Cup.