Italy beat all odds to lift the World Cup 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a gruelling final against France in Berlin. This was Italy’s fourth title after their triumph in 1934, 1938 and 1982. Only Brazil has won more (five) times. The game got off to a frenzied start after Zinedine Zidane scored a penalty following Marco Meterazzi’s challenge on French midfielder Malouda. Meterazzi levelled the scores with a spectacular header not long after. Although the Italians deserve all the accolades, the final will be remembered for a different reason altogether: Zidane’s send-off in the second half of the extra time for inexplicably headbutting Meterazzi. What was to be Zizou’s glorious farewell turned into a shameful exit for the famed French midfielder. Wayne Rooney’s sending off in the quarterfinals was no less disgraceful.

South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina failed to live up to the expectations of their fans, both making their exits in the quarterfinals. This World Cup will be remembered for the final cup appearances for the likes of Zidane, Louis Figo, David Beckham, Oliver Kahn, Cafu and Ronaldo. The 2006 edition of the biggest spectacle in sports also saw Asian countries fare miserably. While Iran and Saudi Arabia failed to get even a single point, Japan and South Korea too made early exits. But the performances of Ghana and Australia were noteworthy. Both made it to the knockout stage. While the likes of Ghana give all outsiders some hope in the next edition in South Africa, clearly success at the top calls for huge investment on the part of those countries aspiring to progress to later rounds of the tournament.