In the 2010 World Cup final played in South Africa, Span narrowly defeated Netherlands (1-0) to win its first world cup title. This was the first world cup final for both of these teams and while defending European champions from Spain dominated gameplay, it was the Dutch that had the best 2 chances to score with Robben in regular time. With the score fixed on a scoreless tie, the 2 teams seemed set to decide the title with penalty kicks until a goal by Iniesta in the second half of overtime gave Spain’s team (photo) the historic victory in a competition that other major football nations will want to forget as a disaster.
24 years after its last title, 12 years after the loss in the final to Brazil in the USA over penalties, Italy finally can celebrate.
Italy – France 1-1 a.e.t. (6-4 after penalties):
First half: Italian fans are accustomed to drama and this final was in line with tradition. After a mere 6 minutes France was up with Zidane converting a penalty that quickly shocked Italy. The french however perhaps over-confident sat back on their half and allowed Italy to come back. It was Materazzi 13 minutes later to draw level with a great header (third picture from top) on a corner ball massaged by Pirlo. The goal gave Italy more confidence and just before the end of the first half on another corner kick Toni headed the ball into the crossbar.
Second half: The french emerged from the dressing room with the will to re-gain the lead and dictated the play for most of the half. Ironically however it was Italy that came closest to goal first with a Toni’s header that found the net but was spoiled by an off-side call and then with a Pirlo’s free kick that exited just off the post. Henry tried to find space to score but Cannavaro was once again an unbeatable pillar in Italy’s back line and if anyone still tried a shot Buffon was always ready to protect its net. As a result despite France’s greater dominance in dictating the play regular time expired on a 1-1 tie.
Extra-time: With Italy out of gas (after having played extra time in the semifinals unlike its opponent) France increased its control of the match and had 2 clear chances to clinch victory. First a shot by Ribery ended up just wide off the post and then an header by Zidane did not turn into a goal because of an astonishing Buffon save. The next surprise came from Zidane himself whom, on a negative note, ended its career by being sent off after hitting Materazzi with his head. Italy without any energy left in its legs did not leverage the opportunity offered by the man advantage and the game was clearly headed to penalties.
Penalties: Italians have a long negative record on penalty shoot outs including most notably the loss to Brazil in 1994 final of the USA-hosted edition so no one more than their fans was gripped by fear. The focused Italians however once again surprised everyone and the shooters, Pirlo, Materazzi, De Rossi and Del Piero all converted their spot kicks. The French did the same except for Trezeguet who sent the second penalty to the crossbar. So in the final kick for Italy all the world had their eyes pointed to Grosso, an unlikely hero for the Italians in this world cup, who transformed the penalty flawlessly (second picture from top) giving Italy its 4th world cup title, only one shy of Brazil’s record.
Once the ball was in the net, the Azzurri on the field and Italians all over the world began their celebrations. Lippi, the cunning Italian coach, had completed its opera started two years ago and threatened by the soccer scandal that emerged in Italy this summer. In addition, clearly Italy did not play its best game nor was its play as elegant as that of other teams in the tournament, however, the Italians showed the world that by leveraging the strength of a compact group able to blend humility and hard work, anything is possible.
ITALY – FRANCE 6-4 (after penalties) (1-1 after extra time)
ITALIA (4-4-1-1): Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Grosso; Camoranesi (86′ Del Piero), Gattuso, Pirlo, Perrotta (61′ Iaquinta); Totti (61′ De Rossi); Toni. Ct: Marcello Lippi
