Zidane and the headbutt: a legend's most bitter ending (2006)
In the 2006 final, Zidane scored a penalty and was then sent off for headbutting Materazzi. Even so, he won the tournament's Golden Ball in his final match.
The 2006 World Cup final, on 9 July in Berlin, was to be Zinedine Zidane's perfect farewell. And it began like a dream script: in the 7th minute he scored a «Panenka» penalty, the ball striking the crossbar before dropping in.
Italy equalised through Marco Materazzi, a header from a corner, and the game stretched into extra time at 1-1.
Then came the moment that went around the world. In the 110th minute, after an exchange of words with Materazzi, Zidane turned and headbutted him in the chest. Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo sent him off. It was the last match of the Frenchman's career, and he left the pitch walking past the trophy without looking at it.
Italy won 5-3 on penalties — Trezeguet missed — and claimed their fourth world title. Zidane, despite everything, was named the tournament's best player and received the Golden Ball.
Genius and rage on the same night: the image of that headbutt is etched forever as one of the most shocking endings in football history.
Source: Wikipedia (2006 FIFA World Cup Final).