2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
The first World Cup hosted by reunified Germany. Zidane was sent off for a head-butt in the final, and Italy beat France on penalties for a fourth title.
Original: David Ruddell / Derivative work: Danyele · CC BY 2.0 · Source
The tournament was held in reunified Germany from 9 June to 9 July 2006, with Franz Beckenbauer heading the organizing committee; crowds packed the public-viewing fan miles in what Germans called a “summer fairy tale”. South Korea beat Togo 2–1 for its first World Cup win away from home and drew 1–1 with France, but went out after losing 0–2 to Switzerland. The final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on 9 July went to extra time at 1–1, and France’s Zinedine Zidane was sent off for head-butting Italy’s Marco Materazzi. Italy won the shoot-out 5–3.
