Description

The course of the 2006 World Cup

After winning the vice-championship in 2002, Germany hoped to reach the title on home soil. Everything was going according to plan until the semifinal against Italy, played at the stadium in Dortmund, where Germany had so far been undefeated.

After 90 minutes of the semifinal there was a 0–0 tie, in overtime the goalless result also lasted for a long time and it seemed that there would be a series of penalty kicks, but in the very end the Italians scored two goals and advanced to the final. The hosts still won the match for 3rd place and ended the tournament with bronze medals.

It is worth mentioning that at the World Cup in Germany there were as many as 6 debuting national teams. The best performance was made by Ukraine, which reached the quarterfinals. On the other hand, just before the championship there was a split of Serbia and Montenegro into two countries, but at this tournament they made its last appearance as one team.

In addition to the Italians, the French became the second finalist of the tournament. The final game, played at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, was remembered less for its sporting aspects and more for the clash between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi.

A verbal melee ensued during overtime between the only goal scorers in the match, after which Zidane hit Materazzi in the chest with his head. The Italian fell to the ground and the game was stopped. The situation ended with the referee showing Zidane a red card and ejecting him from the field.

Zidane is considered one of the best football players of his time, and with the 2006 championship, he was ending his playing career. The final was his last match at the professional level. However, the French captain walked off the field in disgrace, passing the World Cup with his head lowered. The match ended in a series of penalty kicks, which the Italians won.