On This Day In 2006: Zidane Headbutts Materazzi In World Cup Final

By Max Wise

On this day in 2006 Zinedine Zidane bid farewell to football in the most unthinkable manner when he headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the FIFA World Cup final.

Zidane had ensured Les Bleus passage to the final when his solitary goal from the penalty spot against Portugal in the semi-final booked a date with the Azzurris, who had beaten hosts Germany 2-0 after extra time in the other semi-final, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Going into the final it was widely known that the three-time world footballer of the year was going to hang up his boots, and fittingly he was going to do that on the biggest stage of all; the FIFA World Cup final.

Zidane’s last day as a professional footballer began on a bright note as he gave France the lead with a beautifully chipped penalty in the 7th minute.

Zidane’s nemesis on the night, Marco Materazzi, equalized for the Italians when he headed in a corner in the 19th minute.

Drama unfolded in the second half of extra time with the scores locked at one all when Zidane reacted angrily to a verbal provocation by Materazzi and headbutted the Italian defender on the chest.

Referee Horacio Elizondo had no option but to send off Zidane, whose iconic image of walking past the world cup trophy, will forever be remembered.

France went on to lose to Italy in the penalty shoot-out with David Trezeguet, whose golden goal against the Azzurris six years earlier won Les Bleus the European Championships, turning villain this time when he missed the decisive spot kick.