FIFA World Cup 2006
Zizou denies a dream, Italy cheat destiny
Italy 1 - 1 France (Extra Time) 5 - 3 (Penalties)
A troubled Italian team, distracted by the turmoil at home. An ageing French team in Germany for their last hurrah.
A penalty by Zinedine Zidane ensured les blues were in the final, reigniting memories of that glorious triumph in 1998. The last second penalty by Francisco Totti against the Australians ensured Italy even reached the Quarter Finals, after playing with just ten men for an entire half.
The smell of destiny was so obvious, the clouds were barely breathing. This was an extra-ordinary final - one that the greatest football expert would not have ventured to predict.
Zinedine Zidane has the expression of a sage. He scores with the calm of a monk in prayer. He took France into the final against all odds, igniting the dreams of every romantic across the world with the exception of those that sing Il Canto degli Italiani with the hands on their hearts.
He had but the last few steps to take towards that glorious dream. But the angels that script the story of sport have their own tales to tell. And if we knew their tale, sport would cease to be sport.
So when the world woke up from the dream, Zidane retired from his beloved sport in disgrace, sent off from the final with ten minutes left to play in extra time. It took all the blues could do to hold on to the draw till the end of extra time. The French spirit was extinguished by Zidane and the lottery that follows extra time ended in defeat for France. Notable was the French reaction - closing ranks to live in denial and extend support to a fallen giant.
However, noble that reaction - facts ought to be faced. Materazzi, that wily Italian, provoked the sage and he reacted in a manner that champions rarely do. Materazzi lay on the floor, after using his mouth to ensure Italy won. Zidane was sent off, and the dream went with him. As villains go, how could you forget that Materazzi is the man who was sent off against Australia, almost costing the Italians a place in the last eight.
Italy won the World Cup on penalties, but they won alright. Italy are World Champions, there is no denying that. As much as we can mourn the loss of a great dream, we ought to salute the resilience of the Azzuri who have triumphed amidst all the corruption and controversy that has all but destroyed the lustre of Italian domestic football. The team has shown great character and fight in coming together during this turbulent period, in restoring a nation's honour.
Ironically, it was Zidane who opened the scoresheet on this day, after converting a seventh minute penalty with typical arrogance and panache. And would you believe it, the penalty came from a Florent Malouda dive, excuse me, after being so much as tickled by a Materazzi touch.
And that wasn't all. Andrea Pirlo sent a corner kick for Materazzi to climb over Vieira and score the equaliser. Barthez was left fumbling.
Meanwhile Thierry Henry was looking potent, and France had the better game. They should have received a penalty when Zambrotta genuinely felled Malouda, but this time they were denied. Justice has its ways.
France continued to dictate the game to the Italians, till an act of complete hollowness destroyed the final. Zidane head butted Materazzi, after an oral insinuation, but the genius should have known better.
It is a great pity that this final shall be remembered for his flaws rather than as a celebration of sporting genius. The canvas is stained, the master piece incomplete, forever.
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