Italy have won the final of the World Cup Finals 2006 after beating France in a penalty shoot-out after the game went to penalties after finishing extra-time 1-1 in the Olympiastadion in Berlin, after two first-half goals from France captain Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring, with Marco Materazzi levelling for the Azzurri.

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 he 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.

Extra-time saw both teams having to slow the pace, but France dominating the attacking chances, with Italy happy to let France have the possession, and playing the classic ‘Catennaccio’ style that we are so used to, defending as a team and hoping to attack on the break.

Frank Ribery came-off for Juventus striker David Trezeguet in the 100th minute as France continued to press, and their captain Zidane almost gave Les Bleus the lead after willy Sagnol delivered a perfect cross for Zidane to head, but Buffon saved well.

The game heated-up in the second-half of extra-time, with the tension becoming too much for France captain Zinedine Zidane when he headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest, which, after a period of confusion between the referee and his linesmen, who failed to see the incident, had to get confirmation from the fourth official before sending off the talismanic French captain.

The Italians, despite being a man-up, were still being pushed by France, but as extra-time came to a close, Italy knew that France, without Thierry Henry, who was substituted for Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira and Zidane, they had the advantage in the penalty shoot-out.

France's David Trezeguet was the first and only person to miss a penalty, hitting the crossbar, but the ball this time bouncing the wrong side of the line.

Italy then went on to despatch all of their penalties, to lift their fourth World Cup trophy, for the first time since 1982.

Zidane, who was sent-off in his final appearance on a football field, was unfortunate to not be able to receive a loser's medal, with Raymond Domenech having to receive his medal for him.

It is a sad farewell to one of the greatest players ever to grace a football field, but he will be remembered for many years to come.