The 2006 FIFA World Cup was held in Germany from June 9 to July 9, 2006. Italy won its fourth title, beating France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. The final is remembered above all for Zinedine Zidane’s red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi in extra time, in what proved to be the last match of his career. Hosts Germany finished third after a joyful run that became known as the summer fairy tale, Miroslav Klose won the Golden Boot with five goals and Zidane was named the tournament’s best player despite his dismissal.
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host | Germany |
| Dates | June 9 to July 9, 2006 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Venues | 12 stadiums |
| Champion | Italy (fourth title) |
| Runner-up | France |
| Third place | Germany |
| Final | 1-1 (Zidane penalty, Materazzi header); Italy won 5-3 on penalties |
| Top scorer | Miroslav Klose, 5 goals |
| Best player | Zinedine Zidane |
Germany as host
Germany hosted the World Cup for the second time, after 1974 as West Germany, and the first since reunification. Matches were played in twelve cities, including Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, Hamburg and Gelsenkirchen, many in newly built or renovated stadiums. The tournament was widely praised for its organization and atmosphere. Huge public viewing areas, known as fan fests, drew millions of fans, and the friendly, festive mood helped change international perceptions of Germany. Germans still refer to the tournament as the Sommermärchen, or summer fairy tale.
The group stage
Germany opened the tournament with a 4-2 win over Costa Rica in Munich, with Philipp Lahm scoring the first goal. Argentina produced one of the most admired team goals in World Cup history, a move of more than 20 passes finished by Esteban Cambiasso in a 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro. Ghana beat the Czech Republic and the United States to reach the knockout stage in its first World Cup. Brazil’s Ronaldo scored his 15th World Cup goal against Ghana in the round of 16, breaking Gerd Müller’s long-standing record. English referee Graham Poll mistakenly showed Croatia’s Josip Šimunić three yellow cards before sending him off, an error that ended his involvement in the tournament.
The knockout rounds
The round of 16 match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Nuremberg became known as the Battle of Nuremberg, with a record 16 yellow cards and four red cards. Portugal won 1-0. In the quarterfinals, Germany beat Argentina on penalties in Berlin, France beat Brazil 1-0 with a Thierry Henry volley from a Zidane free kick, Portugal beat England on penalties after Wayne Rooney was sent off, and Italy beat Ukraine 3-0.
The semifinals were dramatic. Italy beat Germany 2-0 in Dortmund with two goals in the final minutes of extra time from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero, ending the host nation’s hopes. France beat Portugal 1-0 through a Zidane penalty. Germany then beat Portugal 3-1 in the third-place match in Stuttgart, and the home crowd celebrated its team’s run.
Germany’s summer fairy tale
Few expected much from Germany before the tournament. The team had struggled in friendlies, and coach Jürgen Klinsmann faced heavy criticism for his modern methods, including fitness coaches and a young squad built around players such as Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker. The team played fast, attacking football, won all three group games and beat Sweden and Argentina in the knockout rounds. Miroslav Klose’s five goals earned him the Golden Boot, and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s shootout saves against Argentina became part of national folklore. Although the semifinal defeat to Italy was painful, the run changed the mood around the national team and laid foundations for the success that followed.
France’s revival
France struggled early, drawing its first two group matches, but grew stronger as the tournament went on. Zidane, who had come out of international retirement for the qualifying campaign, produced some of his best performances, especially in the quarterfinal win over Brazil. With Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makélélé and Lilian Thuram, France reached its second final in eight years.
The final
The final was played on July 9, 2006, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Zidane gave France the lead in the seventh minute with a chipped penalty that bounced down off the crossbar and over the line. Marco Materazzi, who had conceded the penalty, equalized with a header from a corner about twelve minutes later. France had the better of the second half and extra time, but Gianluigi Buffon made key saves, including one from a Zidane header.
In the second half of extra time, after an exchange of words with Materazzi, Zidane turned and headbutted the Italian defender in the chest. He was sent off after the officials were alerted to the incident. It was the final act of his playing career, as he had already announced his retirement. The match went to penalties. Italy scored all five of its kicks, while David Trezeguet hit the crossbar for France. Fabio Grosso scored the winning penalty, giving Italy its first World Cup since 1982.
Why Zidane was sent off
Zidane’s headbutt remains one of the most famous moments in sporting history. Both players later described an exchange of insults before the incident, and both were disciplined by FIFA. Zidane apologized for his behavior while saying he had been provoked, and Materazzi acknowledged insulting him. Despite the red card, Zidane was voted the Golden Ball winner, an award decided largely before the final. The incident overshadowed an outstanding tournament in which he had led France to the final.
Italy’s champions
Coached by Marcello Lippi and captained by Fabio Cannavaro, Italy built its success on defense. The team conceded only two goals in seven matches, one an own goal and the other Zidane’s penalty. Buffon, Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Francesco Totti were among the key players. Cannavaro went on to win the Ballon d’Or later that year, a rare honor for a defender. Italy’s triumph came in the same summer as the Calciopoli scandal, which had shaken Italian club football only weeks earlier.
Legacy
The 2006 World Cup is remembered as one of the best-organized tournaments and helped transform Germany’s image abroad. For Germany’s national team, it began a period of growth under Jürgen Klinsmann and his assistant Joachim Löw, which eventually led to the 2014 world title. For Italy, it remains the most recent World Cup victory. Zidane’s headbutt and the Battle of Nuremberg remain among the most discussed moments in World Cup history.
How to explore the 2006 World Cup
- Watch key matches such as Germany vs Italy and the final.
- Check FIFA’s official records for results and statistics.
- Read about the Sommermärchen and its effect on German football.
- Learn about Calciopoli for context on Italy’s win.
- Watch the Argentina team goal against Serbia and Montenegro.
Common misconceptions
- That Zidane was sent off in regular time. It happened in extra time.
- That Italy won in normal time. The final ended 1-1 and was decided on penalties.
- That Germany reached the final. The hosts lost the semifinal to Italy and finished third.
- That Zidane did not win the Golden Ball. He was named best player despite the red card.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2006 World Cup?
Italy, beating France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Why was Zidane sent off in the 2006 final?
For headbutting Marco Materazzi in extra time after an exchange of words.
Who was the top scorer at the 2006 World Cup?
Miroslav Klose, with five goals.
