Nicosia (AFP) - The 2006 World Cup was a resounding success in which Germany wanted to open up to the world. It witnessed a surprise victory for Italy for a fourth time, despite a scandal of tampering with the results that shook it again, at the expense of France, which paid dearly for an earth-shattering headbutt by the best player in the tournament, Zinedine Zidane.

Published on: 06/05/2026 - 09:51

After receiving a hosting honor that was tainted by allegations of vote-buying, Germany seemed to be immersed in an amazing collective passion that continued throughout the World Cup, which was held in sunny and hot weather.

The Germans did not imagine showing their patriotism without any bad consequences, so they were friendly and open with strangers who loved their country. Despite their exit in the semi-finals against Italy (0-2), their young coach Jurgen Klinsmann won the Order of Merit as the first coach to be honored without winning anything, while their striker Miroslav Klose won the top scorer title (5).

South Africa was looking to host to celebrate the end of apartheid, but Germany prevailed 12-11 after New Zealander Charles Dempsey abstained from voting under pressure in the third round in July 2000, which would have allowed South Africa to host due to the preponderance of the vote of FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

- European semi-final -

Many nominated Brazil, then Argentina, Germany, England and the Netherlands to compete for the title.

Defending champion Brazil included the dream attack: Ronaldo, who was eight kilograms heavier since 2002 and whose tally reached 15 goals in the finals, and Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano.

But its confrontations with France became a curse. In the quarter-finals, Zinedine Zidane, at the age of 34, gave a brilliant performance as Zarqa won with a goal from Thierry Henry.

Zizou received praise from the jewel Pele and Kaiser Beckenbauer, who asked him not to retire. "It can be said that Zidane was a Brazilian in this match," said his teammate Eric Abidal.

Argentina included the rising talent Lionel Messi (19 years old), but the Albiceleste train was stopped by the German host on penalties in the quarter-finals as well, so four European teams reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1982.

Battle of Nuremberg

The city of Nuremberg witnessed a fierce battle between Portugal and the Netherlands (1-0), in a repeat of the 2004 European Cup semi-final, when Portugal also emerged victorious (2-1) with a Manish goal.

Russian referee Valentin Ivanov showed four red cards and 16 yellow cards, and within three minutes he issued six warnings, while Portuguese Luis Figo escaped an additional red card, before he and his teammates bid farewell to the semi-finals against Zidane's France (0-1).

It was the roughest edition in history with 28 red cards. But the strangest cards came out of the pocket of English referee Graham Bull in the Croatia-Australia match. Croatian Josip Šimonjic, born in Australia, was only sent off after being given three warnings!

- Outside the circle of candidates -

Not many people nominated Italy despite having players like Del Piero, Totti, Pirlo, Buffon, Cannavaro and Nesta. What made matters worse was the Calciopoli scandal over the arrangement of match results, which began to emerge in May 2006 and led to the relegation of the ancient and league champion Juventus to the second division. Comparisons began with 1982 and the achievements of the “outcast” Paolo Rossi.

Italy was also eliminated from the round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup against South Korea, and was eliminated behind Sweden and Denmark from the group stage in the 2004 European Cup.

However, its expert coach Marcello Lippi said, “In a way, Calciciopoli helped the team become more united.”

- "Non Chi Credo" -

Fabio Grosso was with Perugia in the second division in 2004, and was not among the seven left-back players called up to the national team.

His life turned around in 2006 when he won a penalty kick converted by Francesco Totti in the final hour of the round of 16 against Australia (1-0). He scored in the 119th minute of the semi-final against Germany (2-0), shouting "Nun che credo!" (I can't believe it), before Del Piero settled the battle.

The Berlin final will always be remembered. After Zidane opened the scoring early with a cold Panenka-style penalty kick, defender Marco Materazzi made up for his mistake and scored the equalizer.

- Headbutt -

After the extension, specifically in the 110th minute, Zidane delivered an earth-shattering headbutt to Materazzi's chest, knocking him to the ground, and Argentine referee Horacio Elisondo gave him a direct red.

Zizou spoke about Materazzi's insult to his mother, "There are things that happen on the field, but this is not an excuse. My mother was sick. She was in the hospital. More than once he insulted my mother and I did not respond. Did he apologize for this? No."

He continued, "If Kaka had been, for example, a nice young man, I would have apologized, of course. But not to this person... She was not beautiful. I ask forgiveness from all the children who saw her."

Materazzi defended himself, "What I said was stupid. But I did not deserve this reaction. My mother died when I was fifteen years old. I would never insult her (Zidane's mother). I spoke about his sister."

The International Federation (FIFA) almost stripped Zidane of the Golden Ball award for the best player in the tournament, but two days later it decided to hand it to him, ahead of Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, who led a defense that conceded only two goals throughout the tournament: one own goal and the second from Zidane’s penalty kick.

For the second time after 1994, when Italy lost to Brazil, the final was decided on penalties.

David Trezeguet missed for France, and Grosso was entrusted with scoring the final fifth for Italy. The last penalty kick he took was five years ago when he was in the fourth division. “I was astonished. Why me?” He fired a wonderful shot that fooled goalkeeper Fabien Barthez: Italy are world champions for the fourth time.

- Weighting in the eyes of Buffon -

Gianluigi Buffon, the best goalkeeper in the tournament, recounts his follow-up to his teammates' shots: "I did not touch the ball! The French scored every time, except for Trezeguet, who hit the crossbar. Every time we shot, I focused on two French fans and said, 'If they stay sitting, we have scored.' In every direction, we achieved a historic achievement that we could not have imagined.”

Pietro Lombardi was the equipment man for the Italian national team and was nicknamed “Spatsolino” (toothbrush) because he cleaned the players’ shoes so well. In 2016, he died at the age of 92. Midfielder Daniele De Rossi participated in his burial in Florence and left his gold medal inside his coffin!

AFP/Jash/Azz

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