LiveBlog: France vs. Italy

In an exciting final to the 2006 World Cup, Italy picks up its fourth title after defeating France in a penalty shoot out. It has been a long and wonderful trip. You can read the play-by-play below and leave your thoughts on the final and the World Cup.

Final: France 1-1 a.et. Italy
Italy 5-3 p.s.o

Italy penalty #5 Grusso for the World Cup title. He hits it in and Italy is champion of the world!!!!! 5-3 on penalty kicks.

France penalty #4 Sagnol punches it in. Italy 4-3.

Italy penalty #4 Del Piero calmly puts it in. Italy 4-2.

France penalty #3 Abidal with the left foot. He hits it in without a problem. Italy 3-2

Italy penalty #3 De Rossi hits it top shelf and in. Italy 3-1

France penalty #2 Trezeguet up for France. He hits the crossbar and it goes out. No goal. First miss. 2-1 Italy.

Italy penalty #2 Materazzi for Italy and he hits it into the corner past Barthez. 2-1 Italy

France penalty #1 Wiltord up first for Les Bleus. He hits it to the right and nails it. 1-1

Italy penalty #1 Pirlo taking the first kick for the Azzurri. He steps up and hit is in the middle for a goal.

Penalty shoot out history Italy has lost three time on penalty shoot outs in the World Cup including the 1994 final. France has won two of three World Cup penalty shoot outs, including against Italy in the quarterfinals of 1998.

End of Extra Time After two hours of football the 2006 World Cup will be decided by a penalty shoot out. Each team will have five shooters to start. The keeper match up is Buffon vs. Barthez. Who do you think will win?

119:12 Wiltord tracks one down and puts a shot off target. Buffon takes his time to get the golden ball back into play.

118:43 Both teams appear to be running in slow motion. This looks increasingly like it will be decided on spot kicks.

117:46 Italy pushes forward but Grosso doesn’t have the legs to track it down. I know the feeling. I am exhausted just watching this one.

116:37 France has been the more attacking team for the past 70 minutes or so but Italy can still come up with a winner with one right play.

114:49 Malouda takes a fall and Domenech kicks over a water bottle in disgust. Malouda looks to be out of legs.

113:34 This is turning out to be a crazy ending to a high paced and energetic game. France is still controlling the play even though they are down a man.

112:29 Who knows what Materazzi might have done, but that was a brain freeze by Zidane. We will see if Italy will make him pay for his sins.

111:03 France will play a man down for the final 10 minutes and they lose one of their best penalty kickers in Zidane.

109:40 The side official caught Zidane’s head butt and he is shown the red card. That is it for his career and it is a horrible way for him to go. The red is justified. He really hit Materazzi.

108:23 Del Piero goes down but is called for holding the ball. Meanwhile, Zidane takes Materazzi with a head butt. Wow, that was not a classy move at all. Materazzi is down in pain. Zidane might get away with this one.

107:07 Wiltord in for Henry. Not sure I would agree with that move if this one does head to penalty kicks.

105:57 De Rossi takes a hit to the head and that, friends, is called karma. He gets up and should be just fine.

105:01 15 more minutes to decide a winner or we will head to penalty shoot outs.

105:00 The first extra time comes to an end and it was all France. Zidane with the best opportunity but Buffon is determined to save the day for Italy.

104:03 The Italian keeper kept his country alive with that brilliant save on the Zidane header. This one has been a thriller.

103:12 Italy doesn’t even look interested in getting the ball. It is all France but they are unable to crack the Azzurri backline. Zidane with a header that is saved by Buffon. Great header and great save. Wow, just like 98 final except it is saved.

102:14 Bomb blasting noises happening outside our place in Berlin. Now would be the perfect time for Germany to invade France. Not that I am encouraging that. France continues to control the ball.

100:49 Trezequet was the one who scored the game winner against Italy in Euro 2000. Azzurri fans don’t need to be reminded of this fact.

99:58 Ribery with a great chance in the box and he shoots it just wide to the right. That was close. Ribery is subbed out and Trezeguet comes in.

98:43 France still with two subs to use but now sign of anyone coming off the bench.

97:35 France passing it around and then losing it before they reach the box. Italy has not shown the offensive initative thus far in extra time but here they come.

96:12 Gattusso has some dental work down on the sideline and he is back on the field looking as much like a bulldog as ever.

94:37 Malouda splits a couple defenders near the corner of the box and he takes to the air. Gattusso is the one down. He gets up and the players are happy for water.

93:45 As dramatic as it would be, I want this game to be decided before a penalty shoot out. That is just a cruel way to end a World Cup.

92:49 France with a corner kick. Zidane takes it from the left side and it is cleared away as a France player lets out an audible moan.

91:49 Two of the tournament’s older teams are being extended tonight with an extra 30 minutes. Italy jumped all over Germany in the beginning of the extra time in the semi, but France is rolling it around nicely in this one.

90:49 Italy went to extra time last game in the semifinals. France has not had to play extra time this tournament.

90:12 I wish I had trainers to work on my fingers like the players get their worked on before extra time. Both teams have expended a lot of energy in this match.

90:01 As Trapper pointed out in the comments, the 1966 final went to extra time with England winning. Will we see a winner tonight or will this one be decided by penalty shots? For those into stats, Italy has lost all three World Cup penalty shoot outs and France has won two out of three.

End of Regulation After 90 minutes of intense football, the World Cup final is headed to extra time. We’ll play two, 15-minute periods. If we are tied after that we will go to a penalty shoot out.

90 My very quick and possibly inaccurate reseach shows no final has ever been decided in extra time and only ‘94 went to penalty shoot out. EDIT: Duh, ‘66 final was. Thanks, Trapper! Two minutes added time.

88:49 Anyone out there know when a final was last decided in extra time? Italy of course lost on penalty kicks in ‘94 but when was the last final decided in extra time?

87:35 Ribery and Henry trying to play combination ball but the Azzurri defense is a wall in the back.

86:12 Corner kick for France but before it happens Cameranesi off and Del Piero on for Italy. Kick is swung in and then hit out to Makelele who pops it over the bar.

85:12 France taking a bit more of the initiative. Italy has had a couple of late game winners in this tournament and seemingly knows when to make the final push.

84:03 We are seeing two very evenly matched teams battle it out tonight. Some finals are decided early on but this one is coming down to the wire.

82:49 France attacking again and Zambrotta concedes a corner. French fans on their feet. Zidane strikes it and it is cleared away.

81:23 Zidane getting the magic spray and he is back on the pitch. His playing career goes on. Will he end on a winning note or will it end in heart break?

80:00 Zidane down on the turf with a sore shoulder. He does not look too happy about it. Cannavaro was all over him on the play. Will this be the end for Zizou?

78:34 France came out firing in the first part of this half but Italy has stood toe-to-toe since Lippi put in De Rossi and Iaquinta.

76:59 Yellow card shown to Diarra and Italy has its turn with a free kick from straight on and far out. He was booked for dissent. Pirlo takes the kick and it is just wide of the goal to the left. Bent it off target.

75:17 Camoranesi is not having a strong game tonight for Italy. He clips Abidal and France hgets a free kick from the side of the area. Zidane over the ball. How many times have we seen him in this position? He take it and it goes a little too high for Malouda.

73:48 Toni limps off and sprays some water on his leg. He should be back and in an offside position again soon.

72:43 Abidal body checks Camoranesi but he gets up without dramatics. Toni down holding his ankle like he needs it to be amputated. He did get a knock on the knee

70:30 Zidane’s free kick is punched away by Buffon. Can Zidane come up with some magic in his final football game?

70:00 Twenty more minutes for someone to be a hero. Ribery and Henry all over the pitch this half. Free kick to France from outside the area.

68:49 Both teams came into the game with a reputation for strong defense but we have seen plenty of attack tonight. Ribery with another long shot that goes high and wide.

67:23 This game has me nervous and I have absolutely no rooting interest. I can’t even imagine what it must be like in Italy and France right now.

66:02 Italy settling down after making the pair of subs and are more active in the attack.

64:49 France still with three substitutions and Italy with one left. Ribbery tries to find Henry but Cannavaro digs it out.

63:00 Henry one on one with Cannavaro and he fires a shot that is saved by Buffoon. End to end action in what is turning out to be an exciting final.

62:19 It looked to be Cannavaro who was a step or two offside, thus taking the Toni header off the scoreboard. That would have been demoralizing for a France team that has controlled the half.

61:22 Italy goal is waved offside. Luca Toni headed it home but Italy was step off. The right call.

60:18 De Rossi in, Perrotta out. Iaquinta in for Totti. Wow, Lippi is making a big gamble here. Totti hasn’t done much but he is the maestro. De Rossi hasn’t played in four matches.

59:59 Italy finally with some possession and a chance to settle the game down to a more favorable pace. Will we see a winner in the next half hour?

58:28 Whatever France eat at halftime I would like to have some. They have come to life this half while Italy has been unable to get anything going.

57:16 Zidane with a volley that is blocked away. France continues to attack this half as Italy is hanging by a thread in the back.

57:02 Tough break for France to lose Vieira who has been so valuable for them this game and tournament.

55:23 Vieira down with a tweaked hamstring. That might be it for the warrior as he hobbles off the pitch. Diarra looking to come on to replace him.

54:23 Malouda with a great turn and a cross in the box. He has come out with his game this half. France expending a lot of energy pushing forward.

53:09 Zambrotta takes down Malouda from behind in the box and he got leg first. No penalty called.

52:48 France the more aggressive of the two teams this half as they are throwing their weight forward and Henry has woken up.

52:06 Zidane not having his finest game in the middle of the field but still creating for his teammates. Henry in the box does not pull the trigger on the shot. Should have tried it first time.

50:13 Henry spins and splits the defenders and it is cleared away by Zambrotta in the box. Great effort from Henry to create for himself. Ribery with a blast over the bar.

49:02 Corner kick for Italy. They go short with it and Pirlo’s cross in the box is dangerously close. Offside is than blown on Pirlo.

48:12 Malouda gives a forearm to Zambrotta and the Italian player is none the better for it.

47:23 It will be interesting to see how willing each side is to push forward as the clock ticks on and one mistake could make the difference.

45:59 Henry breaks through the Italian defense and gets a soft shot that Buffon handles. Buffon puts his arm around Henry and the two exchange stock tips.

45:34 No changes from either side as the 22 men who entertained us in the first half are back on for an encore.

45:01 We’re back underway from Berlin where France and Italy are battling it out for the right to lift the World Cup trophy. Will this one be decided in the next 45 minutes of will we need some additional time to crown a champion? We’ll know that answer in due time. Thanks for joining me and for your comments. Keep the vibe good down there and let’s hope the next 45 minutes are a thrill.

Halftime stats Italy 58-42% possession, Italy 4-2 corner kicks, both teams 2 corner kicks and 2 shots on goal, France 11-10 fouls committed.

Halftime After 45 minutes, the World Cup Final in Berlin is tied at one. France got on the board first after being awarded a penalty kick, which was hit home by Zidane. Italy answered with a goal from Materazzi off of a corner kick. Not a bad first half for a championship game. I’m going to get another beer and to try to ignore the fact that this is all coming to an end. Your thoughts on the first half are welcome.

44:45 Abidal muffs a throw in. The gold ball is not all it is cracked up to be after all. Two minutes extra time.

44:04 Toni is clipped down by Vieria. Italy with a set play from far out. Totti hits it. Damn he is a good looking guy. I didn;t say that. It is cleared away by France.

42:57 Zidane showing that diving isn’t just for the young kids. He gets the call and then France gives it right back to Italy,

42:14 Pity the poor security guys who have to spend the whole game with their backs turned to the field. They aren’t part of the one billion tuned in for this match. The action has bogged down a bit after a frenetic start.

40:34 It has taken 40 minutes for the wave to rear its ugly head.

39:23 Neither team has been called offside tonight, amazing considering the amount of times Henry has been nailed this tournament and the Italian propensity for being offside.

38:28 This game is turning into a slugfest with two heavyweights battling each other throughout the pitch. Excellent pace thus far for a final.

37:23 French coach Raymond Domenech looks like a professor who gave me a bad grade in comparative literature. He was under fire before the World Cup but no one is questioning his moves now.

36:02 Italy looking dominant in the corner kicks. France has no answer in the air for their taller players.

35:27 Toni breaks free in the box and Thuram with a great tackle to prevent the shot on goal. Corner by Italy is headed off the crossbar by Toni. Wow, that was close.

33:21 Some more magic water and Perrotta is suddenly a new man. Is that Holy Water?

32:49 Perrotta down on the turf asking for his last will and testament. He could not possibly be hurt but he sure is trying to be. Magic spray ASAP.

31:12 Beckenbauer sighting. If he sat through the Ukraine and Tunisia match you knew he wouldn’t miss this one. Lucky bastard.

30:25 We’re looking at two very good teams tonight playing at a high level. A treat to see in a World Cup final. Henry passes it to Malouda who gets a soft shot that Buffon catches with ease.

29:05 Cameronesi gies down in the attacking third and the referee asks for world peace and calmness. Totti over the ball. Barthez looking nervous but it hits the French wall without harm.

27:34 Corner kick to Italy. Pirlo takes and Materazzi again gets his head on it but it is whistled dead.

25:57 Italy well ahead on ball possession but France is generating opportunities when they are on the attack.

24:01 Referee letting both teams bang it out. Italy looking to counter but Vieria breaks it up with his long legas.

22:38 The conventional wisdom before the match was that this would be a low scoring affair but so far that isn’t the case. I have the feeling we’ll see a goal or two more before this done. There. I just jinxed us all.

21:25 The chants of Italia are ringing out in the stadium and from the apartment below me. The game is opening up with both teams playing at a high pace.

20:23 Couldn’t ask for a much better start to a World Cup final with both teams on the board.

18:42 GOALLLLL!!! Italy corner kick is headed in by Marco Materazzi. He skied for that goal and headed it over home.

17:34 Lippi biting his fingernails on the Italian sideline. He probably isn’t the only Italian doing so after the start to this match.

16:12 Zambrotta is a lot of fun to watch. The Italian defender is fearless in the attack and always seems to be in position.

15:16 Referee trips over Zidane and he doesn’t give himself a yellow for diving.

15:01 France has only conceded two goals in this tournament and their backline is looking very well organized again tonight. They are facing an Italy side that has seen 10 players score.

13:47 Italy looking to put up an attack but thus far they haven’t been able to get close in. France called for a foul and a free kick from the side. Pirlo swings in it and Thuram heads it away.

11:12 Two players down as Grosso and Sagnol run into one another. Sagnol is booked for a yellow card.

9:59 That Zidane penalty shot sure was crafty. Buffon guessed to his right and Zidane just floated it high down the middle.

9:18 Corner kick for France after a bad clearance from Italy’s defense. It is cleared out by the Azzurri.

8:42 Italy is behind for the first time in this competition and that was the first goal they conceded that was not an own goal. Still haven’t given up a goal in the run of play.

7:35 This tournament will be remembered for the officiating and the final is no exception thus far. Great break for France and will force Italy to play a bit more offensive.

6:00 GOALLLL!!! Zidane chips in a soft penalty kick that hits the bar and goes just over the line. Wow, quick lead for France.

5:15 Malouda goes down in the box he is touched but he enhanced it with a dive. Regardless he is awarded a penalty.

4:45 Italy with a cross in the box and there is a collusion. Zambrotta clips Vieiera hard and gets the yellow card. Hard foul and deserving of a card.

3:56 Henry back in the game. That is a welcome sign. Don’t want to see the best players miss out on the final.

2:51 Henry getting the ice bag on the head. His head hit Cannavaro’s shoulder pretty hard. This could be a concussion but I don’t pretend to be a doctor.

1:25 Henry down on the ground after running into Cannavaro. The medical staff out to look at hime and there are a lot of concerned French players around him.

:034 The gold ball is on display for the first time this tournament and it already has distracted me. Italy starts out with the possession and is rilling it around to prove the ball is indeed round.

Kickoff: We’re underway from Berlin in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Italy. A champion will be crowned within the next couple of hours. I appreciate you joining me for the match. Your comments are very much welcome. Please keep them clean, have fun and get along like old friends. This is the end of the journey so let’s all work together to make it a good one.

4 Minute Countdown: All of France is singing about death, killing and all that good stuff. The players know the words by now and many of them are putting Shakira to shame with their singing skills.

6 Minute Countdown: We start with the anthem of Italy. Death, kill, and all that good stuff sung to a cheerful tune as the players are locked shoulder to shoulder.

8 Minute Countdown: The two teams are led out onto the pitch by the red-clad referee from Argentina. Berlin’s Olympic Stadium looks electric with cameras flashing throughout the stands. Even the kids escorting the players are fired up for this one.

10 Minute Countdown: The players are lined up in the tunnel and you can bet their hearts are about to explode out of their chests. I am nervous just watching them. Italy is clad in their traditional blue kits, while Les Bleus of France are in fact wearing white for the fourth straight game this World Cup. Zinedine Zidane has the captain’s armband on for France and Fabio Cannavaro has the honor for Italy. Now would be a good time to head to the restroom. You don’t want to miss a second of this game.

12 Minute Countdown: Reports from the stadium are that the cheapest tickets are going for 1,000 Euros. Not only do you get to see a World Cup final but you can watch Shakira shake it.

15 Minute Countdown: More than a billion people will watch this match and this painfully bad pregame concert. That number frightens me. When was the last time a billion people all did the same thing at the same time? Probably a month ago during the opening match. In honor of those one billion people and for the faithful folks following the liveblog tonight I am cracking open a clear hefeweizen that has become my favorite beverage of choice while in Germany. Cheers and good health to one and all. May we never see Il Divo and Toni Braxton together again.

20 Minute Countdown: Random fact time…Tonight’s final is the first since 1978 not to feature either Brazil or Germany…. It is the first since 1982 not to have a participant from South America… Horacio Elizondo will become the first Argentine official to referee a World Cup Final and only the third South American to have that duty…. Pele, Daniel Passarella, Cafu and Ronaldo are the only players to have won non-consecutive World Cups… 53 players have played in two World Cup Finals….this is my 31st liveblog of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

25 Minute Countdown: It has been a pleasantly warm summer day here in Berlin and with the sun beginning to set it is cooling down to a perfect temperature for football. Italy and France are no strangers to one another. The two teams met in the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup and the final of Euro 2000. France came out on top both times. Will they have Italy’s number again tonight? The oddsmakers have made Italy a slight favorite but this truly is either team’s game to win or lose. Yep, been at this liveblogging thing long enough that the clichés are just rolling off the fingers today.

30 Minute Countdown: Italy will once again likely be without Alessandro Nesta, who has been battling an injury. France will be missing reserve forward Louis Saha, who is serving a suspension for picking up two yellow cards. Daniele De Rossi is back for the Azzurri after sitting out four games for suspension but is unlikely to feature in the match. Here are the 22 men in shorts who will be the starters for the 2006 World Cup final. Both teams are going with the same lineups as in the semifinals.

France
16. Fabien Barthez, 3. Eric Abidal, 4. Patrick Vieira, 5. William Gallas, 6. Claude Makelele, 7. Florent Malouda, 10. Zinedine Zidane, 12. Thierry Henry, 15. Lilian Thuram, 19. Willy Sagnol, 22. Franck Ribery

Italy
1. Gianluigi Buffon, 3. Fabio Grosso, 5. Fabio Cannavaro, 8. Ivan Gennaro Gattuso, 9. Luca Toni, 10. Francesco Totti, 16. Mauro Camoranesi, 19. Gianluca Zambrotta, 20. Simone Perrotta, 21. Andrea Pirlo, 23. Marco Materazzi

40 Minute Countdown: Italy is aiming to add a fourth star to their uniforms with a win tonight. France is gunning for number two. It has been 24 years since the Azzurri last lifted the World Cup trophy and with a number of close calls in between then and today you can bet that fans in Italy are hungry for a victory. France won the whole enchilada back in 1998 and six players – Fabien Barthez, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane, David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry – know exactly what it is like to hold sport’s most coveted prize. Italy’s last four Finals appearances have been separated by 12 years (1970, 82, 94 and 2006). Starting lineups on your way next.

50 Minute Countdown: The day is finally here. After all these months and all these games, tonight we will crown a new World Cup champion. Today in Berlin has been the longest day in recorded history. Time has inched by as the whole city waits for an 8pm kickoff between France and Italy. I did a bit of wandering around town and can say the place is packed with football fans from all over the world. I saw a lot more fans wearing Italy blue than I did wearing the blue of France, but inside the stadium there will probably be a fair number of both supporters and an even larger number of corporate types who got their hands on the hottest ticket in town. Starting lineups and other musings coming soon.

Who is going to lift the trophy after this match?

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