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Setting the scene
The 2006 World Cup arrived with Italy's domestic game shaken by the Calciopoli scandal, which implicated major clubs in attempts to influence referee assignments. The national team nevertheless entered the tournament with a veteran defense, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, captain Fabio Cannavaro, and a squad built around tactical discipline. France, led by Zinedine Zidane in his final tournament, reached the final after eliminating Brazil and Portugal.
What happened
On July 9, 2006, Italy and France met at Berlin's Olympiastadion. Zidane scored an early penalty after Marco Materazzi fouled Florent Malouda, and Materazzi equalized with a header from an Andrea Pirlo corner. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, but its defining image came when Zidane headbutted Materazzi and was sent off. Italy then won the penalty shootout 5-3, with Fabio Grosso scoring the decisive kick.
Why it still matters
The victory gave Italy its fourth World Cup title and restored national pride during one of Italian football's darkest club scandals. Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or, Buffon reinforced his reputation as one of the world's great goalkeepers, and Zidane's headbutt became one of the most replayed moments in sports history. Memorable detail: Italy went unbeaten in the tournament and conceded only two goals, one an own goal and one Zidane's penalty.
Background
Italy defeated France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Berlin, winning 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.