France and Italy football rivalry
Encyclopedia
National teams of France
and Italy
are longtime rivals, as the two countries are neighbours and both are countries where football is the national sport. In recent times this rivalry has been more diffused, as many top French players made their names while playing for Serie A clubs, notably Lilian Thuram
(Parma FC & Juventus), David Trézéguet
(Juventus), Marcel Desailly
(A.C. Milan
) and Zinédine Zidane
(Juventus) to name a few.
For many years Italy
dominated (before 1982 : 17 wins, 3 losses and 6 draws), while from 1982 the French team had not lost a single game against Italy (with 5 wins and 4 draws) until the 2006 World Cup
final, which Italy won on penalties. France would remain unbeaten against Italy within 90 minutes until Euro 2008, when Italy beat them 2-0 to eliminate them at the group stage.
Several other games remain in the memory of football fans and have put their mark on the World Cup and of the European Football Championship
. Among them, the 2006 World Cup Final
, when the Italians
defeated the French
beat 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw, and
the 2000 European Championship, won by France with an extra-time golden goal
by David Trézéguet.
and Italian
teams, the quarter-final played during the World Cup 1998 was of special importance as it meant for both teams a possible qualification to the semi-finals of a World Cup, a performance by itself. But in addition France
had a special incentive to win as for the first time in many years (since 1986) it could play a significant role in a World cup, and to do that as the host of the competition in front of all its supporters. This was also a quarterfinal rematch of France 1938 as Italy largely beat (3-1) the host on their way to a second consecutive title.
Italy traditionally performs well during World Cups (winner in 1982, third place in 1990 and runner-up in 1994) and expected to beat the local team in order to reach the semi-finals one more time.
As can be seen in the previous section, for more than 70 years (1910 to 1986) Italy won most of their matches against France, but the situation started to change in the 80’s and this World Cup would indicate which team was dominant in the 90’s. This match was also of particular importance to the players of both teams as many were competing in the same clubs in the Italian Serie A
. They had good reasons to prove to their teammates that they were doing better on the international scene.
Many French footballers played in Serie A (the premier Italian championship) at that time: Zinedine Zidane
(Juventus F.C.
), Didier Deschamps
(Juventus F.C.
), Marcel Desailly
(A.C. Milan
), Youri Djorkaeff
(Internazionale Milano F.C.), Lilian Thuram
(Parma F.C.
), Vincent Candela (A.S. Roma
), Alain Boghossian
(Parma F.C.
), others like Laurent Blanc
had played before in Italy (SSC Napoli
). Obviously there strong connections between the players of both teams and they had something to prove, in addition to having the opportunity to reach another important step in the competition.
The match was of good quality but ended after extra time with a draw 0–0, both teams having opportunities to win in open play. The result of the match had to be decided by a nerve-racking penalty shootout. In that exercise the French team performed better (4-3), the shoot-out was stopped when the last Italian player, Luigi Di Biagio
, failed to score (Bixente Lizarazu
(France) and Demetrio Albertini
(Italy) also failed before, but without effect on the final outcome).
Among the images that one can remember from this, one showed David Trézéguet
hiding his head in the shirt of teammate Thierry Henry
, waiting for Di Biagio to shoot, and later on some French players trying to console their Italian teammates, but obviously happy with the result.
, in his last match before retiring, converted into a goal. Italy equalized twelve minutes later, however, after a header on a corner by Marco Materazzi
, the same player whose foul had yielded the penalty. These two would later in match be involved in a controversial situation which was subject to worldwide discussion.
During the second half Toni scored a goal being in regular position but the referee did not validate it because another player (De Rossi) was offside.
After 90 minutes of play, the score was still 1-1, with each team having had one good half. Italy was the better team in the first half, while France played better during the second half. Regardless, the score was tied and extra time would have to be played.
Five minutes into the second half of extra time, a discussion between Zidane and Materazzi occurred after a French attack during which Materazzi had marked Zidane. At first, Zidane walked away from Materazzi, but then something said caused the Frenchman to turn around and head butt the Italian in the chest. The ref, who did not see the situation, stopped play because Materazzi had fallen to the ground. Following a discussion between the ref, the assistant ref, and the fourth ref, Zidane was shown a red card and sent off.
Despite Italy being one man up for the last ten minutes of the match, no team managed to score, and the match went to penalties. This was the second time in the history of the World Cup that the final match would be decided on penalties, the first time being when Brazil beat Italy in 1994.
Perhaps the most surprising part was that Barthez and Buffon
, both dubbed as some of the world's best goalkeepers, failed to save any of the penalties. All the Italian players scored while David Trézéguet
's hit the crossbar and the ball did not cross the goal line.
After the match, Zidane was given the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. Fabio Cannavaro
and Andrea Pirlo
, both from Italy, placed second and third respectively.
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
are longtime rivals, as the two countries are neighbours and both are countries where football is the national sport. In recent times this rivalry has been more diffused, as many top French players made their names while playing for Serie A clubs, notably Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram is a retired professional football defender and is the most capped player in the history of the France national team, and one of the twenty most capped players of all time.He played at the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons, including ten in the Serie A with both...
(Parma FC & Juventus), David Trézéguet
David Trézéguet
David Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
(Juventus), Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly is a retired Ghanaian born French footballer and star of the France national football team squad, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
(A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
) and Zinédine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
(Juventus) to name a few.
For many years Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
dominated (before 1982 : 17 wins, 3 losses and 6 draws), while from 1982 the French team had not lost a single game against Italy (with 5 wins and 4 draws) until the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
final, which Italy won on penalties. France would remain unbeaten against Italy within 90 minutes until Euro 2008, when Italy beat them 2-0 to eliminate them at the group stage.
Several other games remain in the memory of football fans and have put their mark on the World Cup and of the European Football Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
. Among them, the 2006 World Cup Final
2006 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time...
, when the Italians
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
defeated the French
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
beat 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw, and
the 2000 European Championship, won by France with an extra-time golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
by David Trézéguet.
Games
| Number | Date | Location | Competition | Game | Results |
| 36 | June 17, 2008 | Zürich  (Switzerland) |
2008 European Football Championship | France - Italy | 0 – 2 |
| 35 | Sept 8, 2007 | Milan  (Italy) |
2008 European Championship Qualifier | Italy - France | 0 – 0 |
| 34 | Sept 6, 2006 | Paris |
2008 European Championship Qualifier | France - Italy | 3 – 1 |
| 33 | July 9, 2006 | Berlin  |
World Cup 2006 Final 2006 FIFA World Cup Final The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time... |
Italy - France | 1 – 1 (a) |
| 32 | July 2, 2000 | Rotterdam  |
UEFA Euro 2000 Final UEFA Euro 2000 Final The final of UEFA Euro 2000 was a football match played on 2 July 2000 at Feijenoord Stadion in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to determine the winner of UEFA Euro 2000... |
France - Italy | 2 – 1 (b) |
| 31 | July 3, 1998 | Saint Denis |
World Cup 1998 | France – Italy | 0 – 0 (c) |
| 30 | June 11, 1997 | Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 2 – 2 |
| 29 | February 16, 1994 | Naples (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 0 – 1 |
| 28 | June 17, 1986 | Mexico City  |
World Cup 1986 | France - Italy | 2 – 0 (d) |
| 27 | February 23, 1982 | Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 2 – 0 |
| 26 | June 2, 1978 | Mar del Plata  |
World Cup 1978 | Italy - France | 2 – 1 (e) |
| 25 | February 8, 1978 | Naples (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 2 – 2 |
| 24 | March 19, 1966 | Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 0 – 0 |
| 23 | May 5, 1962 | Florence (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 2 – 1 |
| 22 | November 9, 1958 | Colombes / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 2 – 2 |
| 21 | May 5, 1956 | Bologna (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 2 – 0 |
| 20 | April 11, 1954 | Colombes / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 1 – 3 |
| 19 | June 3, 1951 | Genoa (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 4 – 1 |
| 18 | April 4, 1948 | Colombes / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 1 – 3 |
| 17 | December 4, 1938 | Naples (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 1 – 0 |
| 16 | June 12, 1938 | Colombes / Paris |
World Cup 1938 | France - Italy | 1 – 3 (f) |
| 15 | December 5, 1937 | Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 0 – 0 |
| 14 | February 17, 1935 | Rome (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 2 – 1 |
| 13 | April 10, 1932 | Colombes / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 1 – 2 |
| 12 | January 25, 1931 | Bologna (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 5 – 0 |
| 11 | May 29, 1928 | Amsterdam |
1928 Summer Olympics 1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de... |
France - Italy | 3 – 4 |
| 10 | April 24, 1927 | Colombes / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 3 – 3 |
| 09 | March 22, 1925 | Turin (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 7 – 0 |
| 08 | February 20, 1921 | Marseille |
Friendly | France - Italy | 1 – 2 |
| 07 | August 29, 1920 | Antwerp  |
1920 Summer Olympics 1920 Summer Olympics The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.... |
France - Italy | 3 – 1 |
| 06 | January 18, 1920 | Milan (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 9 – 4 |
| 05 | March 29, 1914 | Turin (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 2 – 0 |
| 04 | January 12, 1913 | Saint-Ouen / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 1 – 0 |
| 03 | March 17, 1912 | Turin (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 3 – 4 |
| 02 | April 9, 1911 | Saint-Ouen / Paris |
Friendly | France - Italy | 2 – 2 |
| 01 | May 15, 1910 | Milan (Italy) |
Friendly | Italy - France | 6 – 2 (g) |
- (a) Italy wins the 2006 FIFA World Cup2006 FIFA World CupThe 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
after penalties (5-3) - (b) Golden goal by David TrézéguetDavid TrézéguetDavid Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
, France wins the 2000 European Championship - (c) France wins the quarter-final after penalties (4-3) and later wins the World Cup 1998
- (d) Goals by Michel PlatiniMichel PlatiniMichel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
and Yannick StopyraYannick StopyraYannick Stopyra is a former French international footballer who played as striker, and who represented the France national football team in 33 matches between 1980 and 1988...
, France qualifies for the quarter-finals - (e) Bernard LacombeBernard LacombeBernard Lacombe is a retired French football player. He played forward, mainly with Olympique Lyonnais, Girondins Bordeaux and the French national team.-Career:...
scores one of the fastest goal in history, but Italy wins. - (f) Italy wins the quarter-final and later wins the World Cup 1938
- (g) First international match ever for Italy
World Cup 1998
Among the many confrontations between the FrenchFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and Italian
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
teams, the quarter-final played during the World Cup 1998 was of special importance as it meant for both teams a possible qualification to the semi-finals of a World Cup, a performance by itself. But in addition France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
had a special incentive to win as for the first time in many years (since 1986) it could play a significant role in a World cup, and to do that as the host of the competition in front of all its supporters. This was also a quarterfinal rematch of France 1938 as Italy largely beat (3-1) the host on their way to a second consecutive title.
Italy traditionally performs well during World Cups (winner in 1982, third place in 1990 and runner-up in 1994) and expected to beat the local team in order to reach the semi-finals one more time.
As can be seen in the previous section, for more than 70 years (1910 to 1986) Italy won most of their matches against France, but the situation started to change in the 80’s and this World Cup would indicate which team was dominant in the 90’s. This match was also of particular importance to the players of both teams as many were competing in the same clubs in the Italian Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. They had good reasons to prove to their teammates that they were doing better on the international scene.
Many French footballers played in Serie A (the premier Italian championship) at that time: Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
(Juventus F.C.
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
), Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps
Didier Claude Deschamps is a retired French footballer and current manager of Marseille. He played as a defensive midfielder. As an international, he assisted France with victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
(Juventus F.C.
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
), Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly is a retired Ghanaian born French footballer and star of the France national football team squad, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000...
(A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
), Youri Djorkaeff
Youri Djorkaeff
Youri Raffi Djorkaeff is a former French international footballer who played as a forward or as an attacking midfielder. With the French national team, Djorkaeff won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000...
(Internazionale Milano F.C.), Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram is a retired professional football defender and is the most capped player in the history of the France national team, and one of the twenty most capped players of all time.He played at the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons, including ten in the Serie A with both...
(Parma F.C.
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
), Vincent Candela (A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
), Alain Boghossian
Alain Boghossian
Alain Boghossian is a retired French-Armenian football player and now assistant coach for the French national team.-Club career:...
(Parma F.C.
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
), others like Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
had played before in Italy (SSC Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
). Obviously there strong connections between the players of both teams and they had something to prove, in addition to having the opportunity to reach another important step in the competition.
The match was of good quality but ended after extra time with a draw 0–0, both teams having opportunities to win in open play. The result of the match had to be decided by a nerve-racking penalty shootout. In that exercise the French team performed better (4-3), the shoot-out was stopped when the last Italian player, Luigi Di Biagio
Luigi Di Biagio
Luigi Di Biagio , is an Italian former football defensive midfielder, who last played for Ascoli Calcio 1898 .Di Biagio was born in Rome. Prior to joining Ascoli, he played for Lazio , Monza , Foggia , Roma , Internazionale , and Brescia Calcio . He was capped 31 times for Italy, scoring two goals...
, failed to score (Bixente Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu
Bixente Lizarazu is a former football left defender who played most notably for Girondins de Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, as well as the French national team.-Football career:...
(France) and Demetrio Albertini
Demetrio Albertini
Demetrio Albertini is a former professional Italian football midfielder who spent most of his career with AC Milan of the Italian Serie A, winning five Serie A titles and three UEFA Champions League titles with that club...
(Italy) also failed before, but without effect on the final outcome).
Among the images that one can remember from this, one showed David Trézéguet
David Trézéguet
David Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
hiding his head in the shirt of teammate Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, waiting for Di Biagio to shoot, and later on some French players trying to console their Italian teammates, but obviously happy with the result.
Penalty Shoot-out
- 1:0 Zinedine ZidaneZinedine ZidaneZinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
(France) - Scored - 1:1 Roberto BaggioRoberto BaggioRoberto Baggio is a retired Italian footballer. Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, Baggio won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. He is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups. He is also one of the top 5 all-time...
(Italy) - Scored - 1:1 Bixente LizarazuBixente LizarazuBixente Lizarazu is a former football left defender who played most notably for Girondins de Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, as well as the French national team.-Football career:...
(France) - Missed - 1:1 Demetrio AlbertiniDemetrio AlbertiniDemetrio Albertini is a former professional Italian football midfielder who spent most of his career with AC Milan of the Italian Serie A, winning five Serie A titles and three UEFA Champions League titles with that club...
(Italy) - Missed - 2:1 David TrézéguetDavid TrézéguetDavid Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
(France) - Scored - 2:2 Alessandro CostacurtaAlessandro CostacurtaAlessandro "Billy" Costacurta is an Italian former professional football defender turned manager.Costacurta spent some twenty years at Milan, with a brief period spent in AC Monza on loan. He is best known for his role alongside Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti, forming one of the...
(Italy) - Scored - 3:2 Thierry HenryThierry HenryThierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
(France) - Scored - 3:3 Christian VieriChristian VieriChristian Vieri is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations...
(Italy) - Scored - 4:3 Laurent BlancLaurent BlancLaurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
(France) - Scored - 4:3 Luigi Di BiagioLuigi Di BiagioLuigi Di Biagio , is an Italian former football defensive midfielder, who last played for Ascoli Calcio 1898 .Di Biagio was born in Rome. Prior to joining Ascoli, he played for Lazio , Monza , Foggia , Roma , Internazionale , and Brescia Calcio . He was capped 31 times for Italy, scoring two goals...
(Italy) - Missed
World Cup 2006
The final match of the World Cup 2006 in Germany were to be contested between Italy and France. After only seven minutes of play, France was awarded a penalty which Zinedine ZidaneZinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
, in his last match before retiring, converted into a goal. Italy equalized twelve minutes later, however, after a header on a corner by Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender, and is currently a free agent.At the beginning of his career, Materazzi played with various Italian teams in Serie B and Serie C, and with Premier League side Everton. He spent two periods with Perugia and signed for...
, the same player whose foul had yielded the penalty. These two would later in match be involved in a controversial situation which was subject to worldwide discussion.
During the second half Toni scored a goal being in regular position but the referee did not validate it because another player (De Rossi) was offside.
After 90 minutes of play, the score was still 1-1, with each team having had one good half. Italy was the better team in the first half, while France played better during the second half. Regardless, the score was tied and extra time would have to be played.
Five minutes into the second half of extra time, a discussion between Zidane and Materazzi occurred after a French attack during which Materazzi had marked Zidane. At first, Zidane walked away from Materazzi, but then something said caused the Frenchman to turn around and head butt the Italian in the chest. The ref, who did not see the situation, stopped play because Materazzi had fallen to the ground. Following a discussion between the ref, the assistant ref, and the fourth ref, Zidane was shown a red card and sent off.
Despite Italy being one man up for the last ten minutes of the match, no team managed to score, and the match went to penalties. This was the second time in the history of the World Cup that the final match would be decided on penalties, the first time being when Brazil beat Italy in 1994.
Perhaps the most surprising part was that Barthez and Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
, both dubbed as some of the world's best goalkeepers, failed to save any of the penalties. All the Italian players scored while David Trézéguet
David Trézéguet
David Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
's hit the crossbar and the ball did not cross the goal line.
After the match, Zidane was given the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro, Ufficiale OMRI is a former Italian footballer considered one of the greatest defenders of all time and was given the name "Muro di Berlino" which means The Berlin wall by Italian supporters. He spent the majority of his career in Italy...
and Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian World Cup winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus, and for the Italian national team. He is usually deployed as a deep-lying playmaker for both Juventus and Italy and is regarded as one of best players in this position...
, both from Italy, placed second and third respectively.
Penalty Shoot-out
- 1:0 Andrea PirloAndrea PirloAndrea Pirlo, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian World Cup winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus, and for the Italian national team. He is usually deployed as a deep-lying playmaker for both Juventus and Italy and is regarded as one of best players in this position...
(Italy) - Scored - 1:1 Sylvain WiltordSylvain WiltordSylvain Claude Wiltord is a French footballer who currently plays for FC Nantes. With the French national team, Wiltord has won Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup....
(France) - Scored - 2:1 Marco MaterazziMarco MaterazziMarco Materazzi , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender, and is currently a free agent.At the beginning of his career, Materazzi played with various Italian teams in Serie B and Serie C, and with Premier League side Everton. He spent two periods with Perugia and signed for...
(Italy) - Scored - 2:1 David TrézéguetDavid TrézéguetDavid Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
(France) - Missed - 3:1 Daniele De RossiDaniele De RossiDaniele De Rossi, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Roma. He is the current Roma's vice-captain and nicknamed as Capitan Futuro due to his high probabality as heir-apparent to Francesco Totti's captain armband.With Roma he has won the Coppa Italia...
(Italy) - Scored - 3:2 Éric AbidalÉric AbidalÉric Sylvain Abidal is a French footballer who plays as a left or central defender for FC Barcelona and the France national team.-Club career:...
(France) - Scored - 4:2 Alessandro Del PieroAlessandro Del PieroAlessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus, of which he is also club captain....
(Italy) - Scored - 4:3 Willy Sagnol (France) - Scored
- 5:3 Fabio GrossoFabio GrossoFabio Grosso, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. Grosso is primarily a left wingback, but can also play as left back. He is also a free kick, penalty kick and corner kick specialist...
(Italy) - Scored
Overall
- Total number of games: 36
- ItalyItaly national football teamThe Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
wins: 18 - Draws: 10
- FranceFrance national football teamThe France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
wins: 8