France 1 Italy 1 aet. Italy win 5-4 on penalties.

France: F.Barthez, W.Sagnol, L.Thuram, W.Gallas, E.Abidal, C.Makelele, P.Vieira (A.Diarra 56), Z.Zidane, F.Malouda, T.Henry (S.Wiltord 107), F.Ribery (D.Trezeguet 100).

Italy: G.Buffon, G.Zambrotta, F.Cannavaro, M.Materazzi, F.Grosso, M.Camoranesi (A.Del Piero 86), A.Pirlo, I.Gattuso, S.Perotta (D.De Rossi 61), F.Totti (V.Iaquinta 61), L.Toni.

Match Report: Within a minute of the start to this game Thierry Henry was laying poleaxed on the floor needing smelling salts to bring him round after a clash with Cannavaro.

There was nothing too sinister in the Italians' challenge and it was more a case of Henry not looking where he was going. Not a good idea against a defender brought up in the traditional Italian manner.

Amazingly, however, the ultra efficient Azurri rearguard would part alarmingly after just six minutes and gift the French the lead. Henry headed infield from the left wing and with Cannavaro turning the long way and Materazzi too far over Malouda was suddenly bearing down on goal.

Materazzi hurried across before trying to bale out of the challenge but probably did make contact and the penalty was awarded.

Zidane stepped forward and chipped high to Buffon's left. The ball came down from the underside of the bar but bounced well behind the line before coming out.

France attacked again shortly afterwards and Materazzi was not far from conceding an own goal as he dived to head behind for a corner.

Then Thuram came just as close to disaster at the other end as Italy responded.

After the shock of conceding earlt Italy began to get a grip in midfield with the cavemanesque Gattuso biting into challenges all over the pitch.

Italy won a corner on the right and when Pirlo swung the ball across Materazzi got high above Vieira to power a header beyond Barthez who had begun to come and then stopped.

Henry gave the first real glimpse of his pace and power as he left two opponents in his wake before releasing Ribery whose cross was well cut out by Materazzi.

Italy were definitely the better side at this stage, however, as the continued to have the advantage in midfield and were quick to get forward down both flanks.

The best move of the game so far saw Italy thread their way through the French defence but Toni needed too long to get his shot away and Thuram produced a lunging block.

For all their better possession Italy rarely looked like scoring except from set pieces where they were a constant menace.

Toni sent a header thumping against the crossbar from another corner but probably should have done better in the absence of any real challenge.

Half Time: France 1 Italy 1

Having been the better side before the break Italy now played second fiddle as the French upped the pace. From here on in the Italians would rarely manage to venture beyond the halfway line as France assumed control in the midfield.

With more consistent service Henry began to look a real threat. He was soon driving into the box, even ignoring Cannavaro, only to shoot too close to Buffon and on several other occasions he had the defence at full stretch.

The French were not helped by Vieira retiring with a pulled hamstring but with Makelele now by far the most influential midfielder on view they retained the initiative.

Malouda went to ground again inside the box under a suspicious challenge from Zambrotta but the ref wasn't brave enough to give two dicey spot kicks to the same side.

Malouda was suddenly looking a threat for the first time in the tournament, however, and worked his way clear along the left byeline only to see his cut back evade Ribery at the far post.

All Italy's earlier movement had vanished but they remained dangerous on the rare occasions they earned a set play. Toni flashed a superb header beyond Barthez but was denied by an offside decision, rightly.

Henry again found Buffon's positioning too good to overcome following another break into the penalty area and the last real incident of normal time saw Cannavaro poleaxe Zidane with a perfectly fair headed clearance.

Not his most dominant game of the tournament but still an uncomfortable opponent.

Full Time: France 1 Italy 1

Extra time was more of a waste of time with Italy simply putting a wall of bodies in front of their goal.

Ribery had the best chance to win the game when a one two with Malouda offered him a clear sight of goal. He shot low for the far corner but saw the effort flash a foot wide with Buffon helpless.

Zidane also had a good chance with a free header from the penalty spot but he could only manage power without direction and Buffon tipped over.

Zidane's next header was also powerful but similarly ill directed, his forehead landing meatily in Materazzi's chest after a spot of verbal sparring.

None of the officials had seen it but after much Italian complaining someone had a word with the referee and the red card was finally brandished.

How the decision had come about was unclear but it was the obvious one. No doubt Materazzi had said something unpleasant but Zidane's reaction had been ridiculous and his team now had to play the last ten minutes a man down.

France still looked the side more interested in winning but with Henry having had to give way after his lone battle up front there was little sign of a cutting edge and Italy had got their apparent wish and taken the game to penalties.

Nine penalties were taken and only one was missed. Even that one was a confident strike which somewhat unluckily came out from the underside of the bar.

The man who missed was Trezeguet so the successful conversions of Pirlo, Materazzi, De Rossi, Del Piero and Grosso meant that Italy were world champions.

Hardly an inspiring game but perhaps a fitting way to end the tournament.

The game had begun brightly, promised much but ultimately become more cautious, negative and niggly as it went on. Much like the whole event.

Full Time (after extra time): France 1 Italy 1
Italy win 5-4 on penalties.

France: F.Barthez 5, W.Sagnol 7, L.Thuram 8, W.Gallas 7, E.Abidal 6, C.Makelele 8, P.Vieira 7 (A.Diarra 6), Z.Zidane 7, F.Malouda 7, T.Henry 8 (S.Wiltord 4), F.Ribery 6 (D.Trezeguet 2).

Italy: G.Buffon 8, G.Zambrotta 7, F.Cannavaro 7, M.Materazzi 7, F.Grosso 7, M.Camoranesi 7 (A.Del Piero 4), A.Pirlo 6, I.Gattuso 7, S.Perotta 6 (D.De Rossi 4), F.Totti 3(V.Iaquinta 4), L.Toni 5.

Referee: H.Elizondo (Argentina) 6
Did ok.

Good:
Lots of things were good in patches but nothing actually added up to anything that was good overall.

Bad:
Italy had been the better side in the first half but then seemed to simply shut up shop. Old habits die hard.

Ugly:
It was meant to be his night and Zidane certainly went out with a bang. His headbutt on Materazzi was truly bizarre. Everyone loves to bang on about Rooney's immaturity but many great players have a pretty suspect temperament.
And at least Rooney would have surely tupped him in the face.