We are down to only three days until the start of the World Cup in Brazil and continue our Top 50 World Cup moments – today number 3: Zidane Head-butts Materazzi.
It was the 2006 World Cup and the world was watching the replay of the 200 EURO final, which France had won 2-1.
However, the game was overshadowed by the incident between French legend, Zinedine Zidane, and Italy defender, Marco Materazzi.
Zidane, the hero of the 1998 World Cup, had led his country into the final after beating Spain, Brazil and Portugal.
The French number 10 gave his country the lead with a nonchalant penalty in the seventh minute, but the score was levelled by Materazzi just 12 minutes later.
The game went into extra-time when both goal-scorers were in the centre of one of the most shocking incidents in World Cup history.
At first, both were jogging up the pitch close to each other, briefly exchanging a few words. Then Zidane began to walk away from the Italian.
Moments later, Zidane suddenly stopped, turned around and head-butted Materazzi’s chest, knocking him to the ground.
The match referee didn’t see the incident, but was informed by the fourth official and sent Zidane off in the 110th minute.
It was later revealed that Materazzi had verbally provoked Zidane by making insulting comments about his sister.
Down to 10 men, France held on until the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5-3 after scoring all five spot kicks.
Italy had won their fourth World Cup trophy, but it was Zidane’s head-butt which was all over the media afterwards.
Do you remember this incident? Have your say in the comment section below.
