World Cup 2006: Day 25

FINAL: Italy 1 – 1 France
(Italy win 5-3 on penalties)

World Cup finals rarely live up to the full-blooded attacking abandon of the earlier rounds, because there’s just so much at stake. Both France and Italy had demonstrated their full potential in earlier rounds (against Brazil and Germany, respectively) but played much more cautiously in the final. Whether that was a result of tactical caution or simply the combination of French fatigue and an unadventurous Italian 4-5-1 formation, I don’t know, but I don’t think it was a bad match overall. Italy looked brightest for most of the first half, spurred into action by Zidane’s early penalty, but France took control after half-time, bringing into question Lippi’s decision to play Luca Toni as a lone striker. Totti was overwhelmed by some effective French marking, and watched the match drift past him, much as he’d done for the rest of the competition.

However, the whole match really hinged on two players.

It’s not surprising that one of those players was Zinedine Zidane. France’s steady improvement has run in parallel with Zizou’s rediscovery of form, and here he was, playing his last ever game of professional football in the World Cup final and scoring the opening goal. But Marco Materazzi?! Gawky and lacking subtlety, Materazzi has never really been considered one of Italy’s best defenders, and his clumsy challenge on Malouda that led to Zidane’s penalty. However, he’s been improving steadily throughout his career, and made amends in spectacular form, scoring the equaliser and then one of Italy’s five flawless penalties.

But will we ever really know what happened in the 110th minute? I’ve watched the replays several times, and all I see is Zidane and Materazzi walking out of the Italian penalty box together after an unsuccessful French attack. A few words are exchanged, Zidane grins, a few more words, Zidane starts to walk ahead of Materazzi… but then what did Materazzi say to make Zidane turn round and go for him? Nice bit of nutting, though; I like to think that Zizou, ever the cultured virtuoso, was paying his own tribute to the great Yosser Hughes there.

It was sad to see such one of the finest players of all time ending his career on such a sour note, but it certainly added a touch of extra intrigue to the match. And of course, that’s Zidane for you, and it’s not like he hasn’t had those “red mist moments” before. You get the whole package with Zizou… masterful footballing brilliance and dramatic mood swings. And despite what the prudish BBC team made of it, it’s one hell of a way to end a career for a man who has already won all the trophies!