ITALY wins the World Cup for the 4th time!!

It's official Italy has won the world cup!!! Italy are now World Champions once again winning the World Cup for the 4th time. Italy won on penalties 5-3 after a 1-1 draw in Berlin.

This is how the game went down, Italy seemed to dominate in an early start but six minutes into the first half it was France that took the lead! As Malouda went down suspiciously in the box, the ref blew his whistle and Zidane finished it off with a chip to beat Buffon.

I thought it was an unfair goal and was hoping for Italy to come back.....which they did! In the 19th minute a great corner from Pirlo which was met by a great climb by Materazzi, Redemption for Italy!!

Italy had many more chances in the first half and were in control which showed by their possession, but in the second half it was France who were the dominant ones.

Italy played more of a defensive game with Cannavaro being at the heart of the Italian defence.
France attacked time and time again but Italy kept the score at 1-1, this continued throughout the second half with Italy rarely attacking. Italy's greatest chance came in the 78th minute with a 25 yard free kick from Pirlo that just spiraled away from the bottom left corner! The game ended 1-1 and Italy and France faced extra time!

France again dominated extra time with Italy playing more of a defensive game. In the 104th minute a brilliant header from Frances Zinedane Zidane produced an amazing save from Buffon which showed why he is arguably the best keeper on earth!

A shocking twist in the 111 minute saw Zidane sent off for an uncalled for headbutt on Materazzi which was disappointing as it was his final game :(

The game continued with France being in control and Italy keeping up its tight defense, which meant the game was to go down to the dreaded penalty shootout.

Their was now an enourmous amount of pressure placed on the shooters and the keepers......

Italy did it!!! They scored 5 from 5 and defeated France 5-3.


In conclusion: Italy deserved it on the day, from their early attacking and brilliant defending it was just magnificent. I still feel for France because they persevered until the end but could not get through the Italian defence! Italy needed this win to uplift their sprits from the match fixing scandal and they did it!

Congratulations ITALY, The 2006 Fifa World Cup World Champions!!!

For a full match summary visit click here.

What are your thought on the match? Leave a comment below :)

Have a nice day, I know I will. Josiah