Materazzi Spoils Glory for France

Italy defeated France via penalties 1-1 [5-3] in an explosive World Cup Final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. France felt the brunt of Italian will in the opening minutes when French striker, Thierry Henry was felled after a heavy collision with Italian defender, Fabio Cannavaro, leaving Henry needing smelling salts to reawaken his composure.

Italian fouls continued as Zambrotta received a yellow card in the 5th min. The physical approach of the Italians back fired though in the 7th min. when the Argentine referee, Horacio Elizondo pointed to the penalty spot, as Italy’s 2nd choice defender, Materazzi, playing for the injured Nesta, was perceived to have fouled French winger, Malouda in the penalty area. Zidane again stepped up and finished the penalty, as his cheeky chip wrong-footed Buffon—teasing the Italian faithful—with the ball deflecting off the crossbar and caroming over the goal line.

The drama of the match had been set by the early goal, and it was now questions of how would the Italians respond. Materazzi then proved heroic for Italy, scoring his second goal in the  tournament for the Azzurri, bringing the scores level with a header in the 19th min. off a corner kick. With the scores tied, the Italians looked in control though locked into defensive mode, soaking up France’s pressure, attack-after-attack to move the game into the extra-time period. Buffon had another busy game for the Italians coming up big with six saves on the day.

The game, however, exploded to life again in the dying minutes of extra-time, with an off-the- ball incident between the game’s two goal scorers. Zidane, uncharacteristically, received a red card for rushing and head-butting Materazzi in the 110th min. Whatever the cause—the pressure, the Italian goading, or fatigue—Zidane let his emotions get the better of him, slighting his last match before retirement and damaging his team’s morale going into the penalties.

The Italians then outscored the French in the penalty shoot-out as all five Italian spot kickers converted their penalties—Pirlo, Materazzi, De Rossi, Del Piero, and Grosso, finally putting to rest Italy’s past World Cup penalty heartaches. Trezeguet was the scapegoat for France this time, as he missed, his shot crashing off the crossbar. And though Wiltord, Abidal, and Sagnol converted for France, the Italians, with one penalty to give, became the World Champions of Germany 2006.

Schweinsteiger Raises Germany

Germany rolled to a bronze victory in the World Cup Third Place Match, riding high on the goals from twenty-two year old, Bastain Schweinsteiger. Both Klinsmann and Scolari tinkered with their squads in this one—both Ballack (injured) and Figo (coach’s decision) out of the sides. Still, the only team—of the final 4 teams—to play with two strikers, Germany pushed forward looking for goals. Portugal had to revert to several cynical professional fouls to keep Germany from getting behind their defensive back line.

The recalled German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn was tested by Portugal throughout the 1st half, but proved sure-handed and helped keep the game goalless at half-time. The match, played in Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion in front of 52,000, looked destined to be the first Third Place Match in recent Cup history to go without four goals—until Schweinsteiger opened the scoring in the 56th min. with an incredible strike from distance that knuckled and swiveled just past the saving efforts of Ricardo.

Schweinsteiger then had his hand in on Germany’s second goal in the 61st min. when his fiercely hit free kick was deflected in for an own-goal by Portugal midfielder, Petit. Matters went from bad to worse for Portugal, as Schweinsteiger popped up once again in the 78th min. with another unbelievable swerving drive from distance. Portugal scored a consolation goal in the 88th min. with a diving header from the substitute, Nuno Gomes, who finished off fellow substitute Luis Figo’s cross at the back post.

Zidane’s Penalty Ends Portugal’s Run

France defeated Portugal 1-0 to reach the Finals of Germany 2006. Even though both teams employed the lone striker, both teams still pushed forward looking to score. Portugal started the stronger and created a few chances in the early minutes of the game. Once France settled down, they were able to nullify Portugal’s midfield, especially the creative influence of Deco, who rarely got a touch on the ball. Thierry Henry proved instrumental in the 33rd min. when he went down in the penalty area after the lightest of touches from Portugal defender, Ricardo Carvalho. Zidane then converted the spot kick against Ricardo, who guessed right, but could not keep the ball out. France continued to hold out defensively and now find themselves one match away from World Cup glory.

Grosso’s Last Minute Heroics

Italy defeated Germany 2-0 in extra-time to claim a place in the Final of Germany 2006. In a match that looked destined for penalties, the Italians spoiled Germany’s hopes with two goals coming in the dying minutes of play. With both teams playing a conservative style, the game was very slow and meticulous in its build-up with very few chances.

Germany’s Bernd Schneider had the only chance in the 1st half just missing narrowly, with a right-footed drive, over Buffon and the bar. In the 2nd half, Germany’s Podolski was foiled by Buffon, who pushed his shot over the bar with a one-handed save. The Italians also carved out two chances in the 2nd half as both Gilardino and Zambrotta beat German keeper, Jens Lehmann, only to be denied by the post.

Much of the same reserved play dominated the extra-time period; however, with penalties pushing closer and closer, the Italians finished off a patient build-up to devastating effect as Grosso finished off a neat passing play in the 119th min, with a bending shot that curled past the out-stretched Lehmann into the back post. Del Piero added the 2nd in the 120th min, finishing off another passing move through the dejected German defense.

Zidane Dethrones the Samba Boys Again

Zinedine Zidane’s composure, and tenacious French defending, put a stop to Brazil’s hope of securing a sixth World Cup Championship trophy. Zidane’s smooth touch and tight control showed how great players can find other ways to turn a game even when age sets in and pace has diminished over time. Brazil, uncharacteristically, fielded only one striker and preferred a patient holding game over their traditional joga bonito--paying the ultimate price of defeat.

The lone goal came in the 57th min. from a Zidane free kick that found Thierry Henry, who finished from close range, with a side-foot volley, past a helpless Dida. Brazil’s defending of the set piece was abysmal with most players deciding to hold a defensive line at the 18, allowing French players to press in unmarked on the back post. Brazil’s offensive play was even more atrocious though as Ronaldinho was a non-factor, and they simply could not find the space, or their rhythm, to play their beautiful game.

Ricardo Stops England Again

Portugal defeated England in another Quarter-Final penalty shoot-out. Just like in Euro-2004, Portugal’s keeper, Ricardo showed that he is the master stopper of spot kicks. In an uneventful match, the most significant moment came in the 62nd min. when Wayne Rooney received a red card for a stamp on the groin area of Portugal’s defender, Ricardo Carvalho. The young English striker’s indiscipline—reminiscent of young Beckham in France 1998—getting the better of him at the expense of his country. With no decider coming in extra-time, it was time for deja vu as England tried to vanquish the specter of penalties past.

Simao Sabrosa converted the first spot kick for Portugal while England’s sure-fire Frank Lampard continued his misery at the penalty spot as Ricardo easily saved his effort. Portugal gave England a life line as Hugo Viana’s kick struck the post and deflected wide. Owen Hargreaves then stepped up and converted for England to bring the tallies level.

The drama continued as Petit missed for Portugal, yet England could not take advantage as Steven Gerrard’s effort was also saved by Ricardo. Helder Postiga converted for Portugal putting the pressure on Jamie Carragher to convert for England. At first, it seemed as Carragher had put the scores level; however, Carragher struck his penalty before the referee had blown his whistle, and on his second effort, England was denied once again by Ricardo. Cristiano Ronaldo finished off the contest, placing his penalty past keeper, Paul Robinson as England suffer another penalty heartbreak.

The Azzurri March On

Italy defeated Ukraine 3-0 to move into the semis. Luca Toni broke his World Cup duck with a brace in the 2nd half while Zambrotta—the right back—opened the scoring early in the 1st half. Zambrotta in the 6th min. found himself in space in the attacking third and cut in on his left-foot to fire a shot past Ukraine keeper, Shovkovskyi.

The Ukraine and Shevchenko struggled throughout the game. Their best opportunity came in the 58th min, but they were denied twice in front of goal by the Azzurri. Luca Toni then exploded for two goals—finishing on a header in the 59th min, as well as in the 69th min, when he finished off a superb move started by Zambrotta deep on the end-line. Ukraine is rocked back to reality, and Italy move on to Germany 2006 glory.      

Germany Reigns into Semis

Germany earned a heroic victory over Argentina in penalties to continue their run in the homeland. Argentina dominated most of the game and opened the scoring just after half-time in the 49th min. when Ayala headed in from a Requilme corner. All but defeated, Germany’s 2nd half substitute Borowski and Klose combined headers in the 80th min. with Klose finishing off a cross from Michael Ballack to keep German hopes alive—via the penalty shoot out—as the extra-time period went without a goal.

Feeding off the crowd and the confidence of the late equalizer, all 4 German spot kickers—Neuville, Ballack, Podolski, and Borowski—converted their penalties. Julio Cruz and Maxi Rodriquez converted for Argentina, yet Jens Lehmann made two crucial saves against Ayala and Cambiasso to send the Argentines—in much heated fashion—crashing and thrashing out of Germany 2006.

Zidane Caps Victory

France defeated Spain 3-1 to advance to the next round, showing that it doesn’t matter how many goals you score in the opening round as long as you get through. Spain provided much of the early pressure and opened the scoring with a David Villa penalty in the 28th min. Franck Ribery equalized for France though in the 41st min. to pull the game level before half time.

2nd half heroics were performed by Patrick Vieira, who forced what appeared to be an own-goal in the 83rd min. as he headed the ball at the back post off of Sergio Ramos into the Spanish goal. Zinedine Zidane provided the whipped cream as he finished in the 90th min. to add to Spain’s heartache.

Brazil Advances in Historic Fashion

Ronaldo and Brazil rewrote the history books today with a 3-0 victory of Ghana. Kaka set up an early goal in the 5th min. for Ronaldo, who notched his 15th World Cup goal to become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup play. Ghana, playing without inspirational and work-horse midfielder Essien, chose to play the offside trap and were down early when Kaka slotted Ronaldo in free on the keeper. The Real Madrid striker then rounded the keeper with a smooth step over feint before finishing into the open net.

Ghana created numerous chances after the Ronaldo goal trying to pull level and showed that they had the belief to pull the upset; however, Dida held strong and kept out the Black Stars. As Ghana pushed forward to equalize, their hopes were all but crushed as Adriano finished on a counter attack in the 45th min. against the run of play.

Ghana never really produced their attacking flair in the 2nd half and were reduced to 10-men when forward Gyan received a red card for a second yellow as he was guilty of simulation—diving in the box. Ze Roberto finished off the scoring in the 84th min.—notching Brazil’s 201st World Cup goal—as Brazil beat the offside trap once again with Ze Roberto beating the keeper to the through pass and lobbing into the open net.