The 2006 World Cup final held in Berlin, Germany, was supposed to be a fitting finale for French legend Zinedine Zidane. Instead, the match left an indelible blot on France’s most decorated footballer’s career as he headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the 110th minute of the match. The score was tied at 1-1 with Zidane and Materazzi (ironically) scoring a goal each. Zidane was sent off for his headbutt as France lost the plot thereafter, and Italy won the final 5-3 on penalties.
France, who lifted the Cup in 1998, were in turmoil after an early exit in the 2002 edition and they struggled to qualify for the 2006 edition too. It was then that 34-year-old Zidane was drafted back into the squad after their poor performance in the qualifiers and he led from front to take France to the final.