Zidane’s stroll off the pitch within the last after being proven a pink card was his final in French colors.
Host: Germany
Groups: 32
Format: Group stage, knockouts
Matches: 64
Targets: 147
Winners: Italy
Runners-up: France
Golden boot: Miroslav Klose (Germany)
Background
Germany hosted its first World Cup as a reunified nation after narrowly beating South Africa within the bidding course of.
The method itself was later discovered to be allegedly mounted by members of the German Soccer Affiliation (DFB) who had purchased votes from FIFA members.
Chief among the many suspects was German legend and DFB’s bid chief Franz Beckenbauer. The investigation into the allegations was opened in 2016 however closed in 2021 with out a end result because the statute of limitations expired after an modification to FIFA’s guidelines in 2018.
On the sphere, the hosts made an ideal begin to the match when Phillip Lahm scored within the fifth minute of the opening recreation win in opposition to Costa Rica. The Germans then received the remaining two group matches and their round-of-16 match in opposition to Sweden with out a lot bother.
Within the semi-final, they have been met with the power of the eventual champions Italy.
Defending champions Brazil took the same route within the group stage, scoring seven objectives and successful all three video games. Their round-of-16 match was in opposition to debutants Ghana, whom they thumped 3-0. Within the quarter-final, they performed France who obtained there after a sluggish begin.
The match was determined by a rapidly taken free kick by Thierry Henry, whereas Brazil’s Roberto Carlos was busy tying his shoelaces.
France and Italy met within the last of a World Cup for the primary time. France’s 1998 hero Zinedine Zidane scored from a spot within the seventh minute however Italy equalised quickly with Marco Materazzi’s header within the nineteenth minute.
The match went into further time and in direction of the top, got here some of the weird moments of a World Cup last.
Zidane and Materazzi had a heated alternate, which was adopted by some shirt tugging and Zidane’s headbutt into Materazzi’s chest. The French star was despatched off.
The penalty shoot-out noticed an ideal 5 from Italy, giving them their fourth World Cup title.
Highs
It was one of many most-watched occasions in tv historical past with an viewers of 26.3 billion.
Serbia and Montenegro performed as one staff regardless of turning into two nations previous to the World Cup.
Africa had three debutant nations, of which Ghana certified for the knockouts.
Lows
Brazil’s Ronaldo performed his final World Cup, scoring three objectives within the match.
The World Cup was within the information for bribery allegations for years till the case was closed in 2021 by FIFA.