By Chris O'Brien
July 23 2006

After a month of memorable action in Germany, Italy have been crowned World Champions with a penalty shoot-out win over France. Zinedine Zidane had opened the scoring, only for Marco Materazzi to restore parity as the Italians went onto show more composure from the penalty spot.

Italy were crowned World Champions on Sunday evening with a penalty shoot-out victory over Mikael Silvestre’s France. Silvestre watched the entire game from the bench as France failed to match their triumph of 1998.

The game will forever be remembered for the disgraceful behaviour of Zinedine Zidane. The retiring midfielder ended an illustrious career with a disgusting head-butt to the chest of Marco Materazzi in a move which brought down a curtain on his professional football career.

It all started so well for the Real Madrid star as he converted an early penalty to give his country first blood in Berlin. However, despite controlling the game for long periods, the French lacked the cutting edge in front of goal and eventually paid the ultimate price for Zidane’s early dismissal.

Materazzi headed home the Italian equalizer before the interval and from there neither side could find the elusive breakthrough. Luca Toni saw a header ruled out for offside, but neither side were prepared to fully gamble and seek the victory and penalties often looked likely.

With Zidane sent-off, Henry substituted and Gianluca Buffon defending the Azzuri goal, the Italians were always favourites from penalties and showed no nerves as they converted all five penalties with Fabio Grosso firing the winning spot-kick passed former United 'keeper Fabien Barthez. David Trezeguet crucially missed for the French as Italy celebrated their fourth World Cup win.

So it's congratulations to Italy after a memorable month in Germany, but the headlines may well be dominated by Zidane's shock red card which ends the career of one of football's best-known characters.

Italy - World Champions 2006