Zidane eyes second World Cup for France as Italy seeks Fourth
Zinedine Zidane will try to end his career with a second World Cup victory when he leads France against three-time winner Italy in today's World Cup final in Berlin.
The 34-year-old Zidane, whose two goals helped France defeat Brazil in the 1998 final, has driven the team into the showpiece game and will quit afterward. He set up the goal that defeated defending champion Brazil in the quarterfinals.
The final is among the closest to call in tournament history. After the semifinals in which Italy beat host nation Germany in extra time and
France scored the only goal against Portugal, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power said the game was as even as a flip of a coin. Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in yesterday's third-place playoff.
More bettors have since backed Italy, which is the 8-11 favorite. France, which won its only title eight years ago, is rated an even chance, meaning a successful $10 would yield $10. Italy scored twice in the last two minutes of extra time against Germany to advance to its sixth World Cup final and first since losing in a penalty shootout to Brazil in 1994.
European Record
A victory over France at Berlin's Olympic stadium would give the Italians a European best fourth title after winning soccer's biggest prize in 1934, 1938 and 1982. Brazil leads the all-time list with five victories.
France's first World Cup success was founded on a backline that allowed two goals in seven matches. This time, the defense has again been breached twice, a record second only to the Italians, who let in just one goal so far.
The only player to beat Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon this World Cup was teammate Cristian Zaccardo, who sliced the ball into his own net in a 1-1 draw with the U.S. Another shutout would see Buffon pass fellow Italian Walter Zenga's World Cup record of 517 minutes without allowing a goal.
The 34-year-old Zidane, whose two goals helped France defeat Brazil in the 1998 final, has driven the team into the showpiece game and will quit afterward. He set up the goal that defeated defending champion Brazil in the quarterfinals.
The final is among the closest to call in tournament history. After the semifinals in which Italy beat host nation Germany in extra time and
France scored the only goal against Portugal, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power said the game was as even as a flip of a coin. Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in yesterday's third-place playoff.More bettors have since backed Italy, which is the 8-11 favorite. France, which won its only title eight years ago, is rated an even chance, meaning a successful $10 would yield $10. Italy scored twice in the last two minutes of extra time against Germany to advance to its sixth World Cup final and first since losing in a penalty shootout to Brazil in 1994.
European Record
A victory over France at Berlin's Olympic stadium would give the Italians a European best fourth title after winning soccer's biggest prize in 1934, 1938 and 1982. Brazil leads the all-time list with five victories.
France's first World Cup success was founded on a backline that allowed two goals in seven matches. This time, the defense has again been breached twice, a record second only to the Italians, who let in just one goal so far.
The only player to beat Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon this World Cup was teammate Cristian Zaccardo, who sliced the ball into his own net in a 1-1 draw with the U.S. Another shutout would see Buffon pass fellow Italian Walter Zenga's World Cup record of 517 minutes without allowing a goal.
posted by 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany at 5:45 PM
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