Italy Triumph in Berlin

In spite of the devastating effects of a match fixing scandal which has rocked the nation, Italy became World Champions with a narrow penalty shootout victory over a French side deprived in the second half of their inspirational captain Zinedine Zidane, who was sensationally sent off in his last professional game for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the chest.

The Italians’ first World Cup success in 24 years was a triumph of togetherness and strength of purpose in the face of corruption, and owed much to the skilful leadership of Marcello Lippi and outstanding contributions from Buffon, Cannavarro, Pirlo and Gattuso.