Italy have gone into extra-time 1-1 against France in the final of the World Cup Finals 2006 in the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with two first-half goals, after France captain Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring from the penalty-spot, and Marco Materazzi levelling for the Azzurri and plenty of chances in an exciting second-half.

Both teams started with an attacking intent, but with France striker Thierry Henry getting injured after colliding with Fabio Cannavaro’s shoulder and seeming slightly concussed from the incident.

France were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute, when Florent Malouda was brought down by Marco Materazzi.

The 34-year-old France captain Zinedine Zidane, who is retiring from football completely after the World Cup, stepped up to take the penalty, which Zidane smashed against the crossbar, with the rebound bouncing over the line before bouncing out again.

Despite appeals from the Italian players, the penalty was rightfully given by the linesman to make Zidane one of only four players to have scored in the final of a World Cup.

The game really came to life now, with Italy pressing hard for an equaliser, with a series of corners awarded to the Azzurri, and their breakthrough came in the 19th minute, from a corner from Andrea Pirlo.

The corner was placed perfectly for Marco Materazzi to rise, and head the ball past Fabien Barthez in the French goal to level the scores.

France had a couple of chances, with Florent Malouda having a chance blocked out by the Italian defence after a great bit of play from Henry, but it was Italy that were more in control and Luca Toni came close, hitting the crossbar.

Both teams were defending brilliantly to deny the strikers on both sides and the game went into half-time level at 1-1, but with Italy the team dominant in both possession and opportunities.

The second-half saw France come out with far more intent, with great chances for Henry, Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda, but the Italian defence, especially captain Fabio Cannavaro, were holding strong, with Gianluigi Buffon making some good saves.

France were then hit by an injury to their inspirational midfielder Patrick Vieira, who was taken-off after injuring his hamstring, being substituted by Alou Diarra just before the hour mark.

Minutes later, Simone Perrotta and Franceso Totti were subbed for Vincenzo Iaquinta and Daniele de Rossi – who missed the last four matches through suspension - as Italy head coach Marcello Lippi to try and stem the attacks from Les Bleus.

Within a minute of the substitution, Italy thought they had taken the lead after Luca Toni headed the ball past Barthez, but the goal was ruled offside.

The game was now end-to-end, with chances on both sides, but the game went to extra-time, with the scores still level at 1-1, and with both teams now to play 30 minutes of extra-time, with the possibility of penalties to come.

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