On the pitch

09 Jul 2006

Zidane must have been provoked says Beckenbauer

The World Cup chief organiser Franz Beckenbauer said on Sunday that Italy defender Marco Materazzi must have said something to provoke France's Zinedine Zidane into headbutting him in the final.

"Something must have been said to Zidane. He is actually a reserved and inoffensive person," Beckenbauer said after France lost a penalty shootout without Zidane.

Beckenbauer said Zidane's dismissal after he had headbutted Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time had cost France dear.

"He weakened his team. We know how sensitive the French are when they lose their captain," said the man who won World Cups as a player and coach.

Zidane, 34, had said the final would be the last match of his career.

"It is such a pity that he is stopping and we won't see him any more," Beckenbauer said.

Zidane's career ends in a fit of madness

Zinedine Zidane's career ended in high drama in the World Cup final on Sunday, the French legend scoring a penalty and then losing his temper and getting a red card for assaulting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

After flashes of brilliance on his 108th and last cap the master midfielder had, not for the first time, a complete loss of control in the 19th minute of extra time, headbutting Materazzi - who had levelled the match earlier - viciously in the chest after the Italian defender appeared to insult him.

Referee Horacio Elizondo originally missed the incident but had no hesitation in pulling out a red card after consultation with his linesman to bring a sour and dramatic end to Zizou's glorious career.

Without their talismanic skipper France went on to lose 5-3 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1.

Zidane, whose petulance already saw him suspended for France's last group game against Togo, trudged off to the dressing room, hurling his sweat band down in frustration as he became the fourth player ever to be redcarded in the final.

Italy win World Cup on penalties over France

Fabio Grosso blasted home the winning penalty as Italy won the World Cup with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over France after the match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of dramatic action.

Substitute David Trezeguet missed the crucial spotkick for France as Italy made it five out of five and won their first World Cup since 1982.

Earlier Zinedine Zidane was sent-off for headbutting Marco Materazzi and ended his career in disappointment after opening the scoring on 7 minutes from the penalty spot.

Materazzi equalised 12 minutes later but the match would go to penalties despite golden scoring chances at both ends.

Kahn announces international retirement

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn announced here on Saturday after his country won the World Cup third-place playoff against Portugal that he was ending his international career.

"It was my last international match today and I could not have wished for a better final game for my country," Kahn said.

"It was a great time, but you have to know when it is time to stop."

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann had dropped Kahn in favour of Jens Lehmann for the tournament, but recalled him for the third-place playoff which Germany won 3-1.

Kahn, 37, was elected the best player of the 2002 World Cup after helping Germany to the final in which they were beaten 2-0 by Brazil.

Klose finishes World Cup top scorer

Germany striker Miroslav Klose finished top scorer at the World Cup with five goals.

Klose scored twice in the 4-2 win over Costa Rica, twice in the 3-0 win against Ecuador and once in the quarter-final against Argentina.

Eight players each scored three goals.

They were: Hernan Crespo of Argentina, Fernando Torres of Spain, Thierry Henry of France, Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina, Lukas Podolski of Germany, Brazil's Ronaldo, David Villa of Spain and Zinedine Zidane of France.

No heart left in Domenech after final defeat

France coach Raymond Domenech said he was too disappointed at France's penalty shootout defeat by Italy in the World Cup final on Sunday to take anything positive out of the match.

The 54-year-old added that while there was no excuse for Zinedine Zidane's headbutting of Marco Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time - for which he was sent-off in his final ever match - he also accused the Italians of targeting him.

"Materrazzi is the man of the match not Pirlo.

"To see him finish his career in this way is sad. He has had a great career and a great World Cup.

"When one has to put up with what he had to for 80 minutes and the referee doesn't do anything, one understands. You can't excuse it but you can understand it."

Pauleta announces international retirement

Portuguese striker Pedro Pauleta announced Saturday that he was ending his international career after his side lost the World Cup third-place playoff against Germany.

"This is the saddest day of my career. Playing for this team, scoring for this team was what I most loved doing but my time has come," the 33-year-old Paris St Germain striker told Portuguese reporters in Stuttgart.

Pauleta played 88 times for Portugal, scoring 47 goals.

The third-place playoff, won 3-1 by Germany, was a day of international farewells.

Portugal great Luis Figo and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn also played their last matches for their country.

Portuguese legend Figo retires

Portugal said goodbye to one of its greatest heroes here on Saturday as winger Luis Figo bowed out of international football in his country's 3-1 defeat to Germany in the World Cup third place play-off.

The 33-year-old Figo won his 127th cap for Portugal - he is the country's most capped player - coming on in the 75th minute for a cameo role, providing the curling cross for Nuno Gomes to score Portugal's goal.

At the final whistle Figo was in tears after 15 years of international service came to an end.

He was part of Portugal's 'golden generation' that won the under-16 European championship in 1989 and the under-20 world championship in 1991.

With the curtain coming down on his glittering international career Figo will now concentrate on his club career with Inter Milan.

He has been arguably Portugal's finest player since the great Eusebio who top-scored at the 1966 World Cup with nine goals.

Tickets going expensive for final

Tickets for the World Cup final between Italy and France were going at a whopping 2200 euros (2800 dollars) hours before kickoff as Italian and French fans gathered to try to snap one up in a final dash for a seat at the Olympic Stadium.

Dozens of fans, including a Japanese clad in a France shirt who said he would pay up to 500 euros 'only', were asking touts at the Olympic Stadium railway station.

According to one French fan some touts carried signs reading "1400 euros minimum."

One report said a member of the Brazilian Federation had sold a ticket for 2200 euros - the top whack so far.

France and Italy heading to penalty shootout

France and Italy are heading to penalites after they finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of dramatic entertainment in the World Cup final that featured the extra-time sending-off of France superstar Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane had put France 1-0 in front from the penalty spot on 7 minutes but Marco Materazzi levelled the final 12 minutes later with a bullet header from a Andrea Pirlo corner.

Zidane was given his marching orders for viciously headbutting Materazzi in plain sight of the linesman who relayed the message to the referee.

Zidane gets good luck message from orbit

Zinedine Zidane and his French side got an encouraging message from space before their galactic World Cup finals clash against Italy on Sunday: "Good luck!"

British-born US astronaut Piers Sellers has too much work to do aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to watch the football game, but he had enthusiastic words of encouragement for France.

"To Zinedine Zidane, and Thierry (Henry) and Patrick (Vieira): Good luck!" Sellers, a naturalized American who was born in Crowborough, England, said.

World Cup squad of the tournament

FIFA on Friday announced the list of 23 players for the squad of the tournament.

The list will be reduced to the best 11 by FIFA after the final on Sunday between France and Italy.

Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (GER), Gianluigi Buffon (ITA), Ricardo (POR)

Defenders: Philipp Lahm (GER), Roberto Ayala (ARG), John Terry (ENG), Lilian Thuram (FRA), Fabio Cannavaro (ITA), Gianluca Zambrotta (ITA), Ricardo Carvalho (POR)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (GER), Ze Roberto (BRA), Patrick Vieira (FRA), Zinedine Zidane (FRA), Andrea Pirlo (ITA), Gennaro Gattuso (ITA), Luis Figo (POR), Maniche (POR)

Strikers: Miroslav Klose (GER), Hernan Crespo (ARG), Thierry Henry (FRA), Francesco Totti (ITA), Luca Toni (ITA)

France and Italy going to extra-time after 1-1 draw

France and Italy are heading for extra-time with the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes of dramatic action in Berlin as the World Cup final lived up to expectations.

Zinedine Zidane fired France in front from the penalty spot only for Marco Materazzi to level the scores from a corner for Italy as the two sides went in at the break level at 1-1.

The match was turned on its head after just 7 minutes when Florent Malouda broke into the box and although the contact was light from Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro, the Lyon man went down and Argentine referee Horazio Elizonda immediately pointed to the spot.

Zidane playing in his last match and set to leave the game as a legend cooly chipped the ball forward that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down behind the line with Gianluigi Buffon diving aside to put France 1-0 in front.

The lead lasted only until the 19th minute when Andrea Pirlo knocked across a corner that Materazzi rose to brilliantly above Patrick Vieira and headed home past Fabien Barthez and Franck Ribery who was on the line.

Neither team was able to make the breakthrough during 45 minutes of nerve wracking action although there were good chances at both ends.

Germany crush Portugal to take third-place

Hosts Germany finished their World Cup campaign in style as they stuffed Portugal 3-1 in the third-place match at the home city of Jurgen Klinsmann in Stuttgart on Saturday.

The match was poised at 0-0 at half-time before Germany exploded for three second-half goals all from the boot of Bastian Schweinsteiger although the second deflected in off Petit which was declared an own-goal.

Nuno Gomes steered home a header in the 82nd minute following a superb cross from substitute Luis Figo.

The win caps a festive tournament for Germany who rode a wave of happiness and joy during their World Cup run that was only finally derailed by the brilliant Italians in the semi-finals.

Portugal equalled their previous best of reaching the semi-finals back in 1966 when they were beaten by England.

Organisers confident final will go ahead

The World Cup organisers said they were confident the final between France and Italy would go ahead in the Olympic Stadium here on Sunday despite storms in the German capital on Friday.

There is the possibility of rain and possibly a thunderstorm during the course of the afternoon but it should be calmer by the time the final kicks off at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), organising committee spokesman Gerd Graus said.

The temperature is forecast to be at around 25 degrees Celsius.

"The match will be played tomorrow, we have no qualms about that," Graus told a media briefing on Saturday.

The pitch at the stadium had not been covered, he added.

"There was a lot of rain, but the pitch is in the condition to absorb it.

"There is no reason to cover it. In these kind of temperatures, covering the grass would actually have harmed it."

FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler added: "In the worst case scenario it could be delayed until Monday," he said.

France and Italy tied in 1-1 thriller at h-t

Zinedine Zidane fired France in front from the penalty spot only for Marco Materazzi to level the scores from a corner for Italy in an absorbing World Cup final that was delicately balanced at 1-1 after 45 minutes.

The match was turned on its head after just 7 minutes when Florent Malouda broke into the box and although the contact was light from Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro, the Lyon man went down and Argentine referee Horazio Elizonda immediately pointed to the spot.

Zidane playing in his last match and set to leave the game as a legend cooly chipped the ball forward that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down behind the line with Gianluigi Buffon diving aside to put France 1-0 in front.

Zidane became only the fourth player after Brazilians Pele and Vava as well as Germany's Paul Breitner to score in two World Cup finals.

The lead lasted only until the 19th minute when Andrea Pirlo knocked across a corner that Materazzi rose to brilliantly above Patrick Vieira and headed home past Fabien Barthez and Franck Ribery who was on the line.

Luca Toni then nearly put the Italians in front on 36 minutes again from a corner but this time his firm header clanged off the crossbar and over with Barthez again beaten.

Italy and France unchanged for final

Italy and France named full-strength teams as they prepared for their World Cup final collision here Sunday.

France are aiming to win football's biggest prize for the second time in eight years while Italy will become the most successful European nation in World Cup history if they claim a fourth crown.

Zinedine Zidane, who will retire from football after Sunday's final, was named at the heart of France's midfield with Arsenal's Thierry Henry the lone striker.

Italy, who reached the final after a superb semi-final victory over Germany last week, were also unchanged with captain Fabio Cannavaro at centre-half.

Cannavaro is one of two survivors from the Italy side beaten 2-1 by France in the final of Euro 2000 six years ago. Francesco Totti is the other.

After torrential rain that prevented both teams from training on Berlin's 69,000-capacity Olympic Stadium on Saturday, the historic venue was bathed in early evening sunlight ahead of the 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) kick-off.

ZZ factor will tip balance says Sagnol

Willy Sagnol reckons Sunday's World Cup final between France and Italy is an evenly balanced affair apart from one crucial factor - Zinedine Zidane.

"Italy's best player is the team itself because it's such a strong block which will cause us problems," said the 29-year-old France defender.

"But I think Zinedine Zidane can tip the balance - and we have Zidane and they don't.

"He's got all the qualities of a natural leader, and along with Lilian (Thuram) and Fabian (Barthez) it's very enjoyable to follow in their footsteps.

"We want to see them finish in the best possible way, we want them to finish on a high as that means it's not bad for the others either," added the Bayern Munich player.

"We know we're in the final but we can't appreciate its significance as we're too concentrated on the game, and focused on our play and weighing up Italy's strengths and weaknesses.

"It'll only be later that we can reflect back on what's happened, which is regrettable."

Zidane and Henry must shine says Platini

French stars Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry can propel France to World Cup glory over Italy on Sunday said Les Bleus legend Michel Platini on Saturday.

"The (French) squad is strong, with great players, the experience of Zidane and also if we really are going to win it, there is Thierry Henry who will make the difference," said the former French captain.

"It is Henry that scored the goal against Brazil and won the penalty in the Portugal semi-final.

"It is the great players that make the difference: Zidane's freekick which resulted in Henry's goal against Brazil, the penalty as a result of the foul on Henry which Zidane converted.

"We have two great stars and it is them who will win the World Cup," added the 51-year-old.

Final countdown in France and Italy

Football fervour was at a peak in France and Italy on Sunday as the last hours were anxiously counted down to the World Cup final opposing the two countries in Berlin later in the evening.

Giant screens were being erected to take in the action, Rome's traffic was expected to grind to a halt, the Eiffel Tower was geared up to sparkle all night and thousands of police and medical workers were put on high alert.

From Bologna to Boulogne, Rennes to Rimini, giant screens rose in town and city centres, and cafe owners spread chairs out in front of television sets before the match due to begin at 1800 GMT.

Workers erected three giant screens, including one of 50 square metres (538 square feet) on the Circo Massimo - an arena reserved for chariot races in ancient Rome - although there was concern whether the 100,000 to 200,000 expected crowd would actually be able to see the massive screen in the early evening light.