The Story of the 2006 World Cup — Zidane's Last Dance

Zinedine Zidane had announced before the 2006 World Cup that it would be his last tournament. He was 34. He had come out of international retirement to help France qualify. The plan was a fitting farewell — the greatest French footballer of his generation bowing out gracefully from the sport he had served so magnificently.

It did not go to plan. Not because France lost — they reached the final. Not because Zidane played badly — he was magnificent throughout the tournament, including a stunning Panenka penalty in the final against Italy. It did not go to plan because, in the 110th minute of extra time in the final, Zidane turned, walked towards Italian defender Marco Materazzi, and headbutted him in the chest. Materazzi went down. Zidane was sent off. France lost on penalties. Zidane walked past the World Cup trophy on his way off the pitch, not looking at it, and his football career was over.

The Tournament — Germany's Successful Hosting

Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup with extraordinary efficiency and enthusiasm, and the tournament was widely regarded as one of the finest in recent memory — a dramatic knockout stage, consistently good football in the group stage, and a host nation that captured the imagination by reaching the semi-finals before losing to Italy.

England's campaign was characterised by underperformance and controversy. Wayne Rooney was sent off for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho against Portugal in the quarter-final — with a nudge from his Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo that generated enormous anger in England. England lost on penalties. Sven-Göran Eriksson left as manager. The tournament had promised much and delivered frustration.

Italy — Champions Again

Italy won their fourth World Cup, defeating France on penalties in the final after a 1-1 draw. The tournament had been difficult for Italian football — the Serie A match-fixing scandal, the Calciopoli affair, had broken during the tournament and several Italian clubs faced relegation and points deductions. The players, insulated from the chaos at home, played with extraordinary focus and discipline.

Fabio Cannavaro was voted Player of the Tournament — a centre-back winning the award was almost unprecedented, and spoke to the defensive excellence that defined Italy's campaign. He won the Ballon d'Or that year — the last defender to do so.

And then Zidane headbutted Materazzi. And nothing else from the tournament has ever fully overshadowed that nine seconds.

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