Italy wins FIFA World Cup 2006
Italy won the FIFA World Cup 2006 by defeating France 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out in a highly exciting final match in Berlin on July 09, 2006. Both teams played superbly and have their share of chances and misses. France took a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute, when the captain Zinedine Zidane converted a penalty into a spectacular goal. Italy fought back well, equalizing the score in the 19th minute from a superb goal from Marco Materazzi. Thereafter, both sides tried to take a lead but went goalless even in the extra-time. The result went in favor of Italy (5-3) after a penalty shoot-out, in which all the 5 Italian strikers converted their kicks in goals, while the French missed it twice. Andrea Pirlo (ITA) was declared the Man-of-the- Match for his memorable all-round performance.