World Cup 2006

For the first time, a World Cup was contended by 24 national teams, many of them making their first appearance in such a tournament. Against all odds, that considered France and Brazil as favorite teams, the final match was played by Italy and Germany. With the conquest of their third tournament, Italy and Brazil were equal in the number of World Cups won.

In the first round, Italy was almost disqualified by Cameroon, and after three ties, it got through by goal difference. Their players, destroyed by the press, decided a silence strike and no longer talked with the reporters.

El Salvador, humiliated by Hungary with a 10-1 defeat, bore the largest defeat margin in World Cup history. In another unexpected outcome, Algeria won 2-1 over Germany in the first round.

Meanwhile, fans were impressed by Brazil and France. Brazilian players were disqualified in the quarter finals when they lost 3-2 against Italy, with 3 goals scored by Paolo Rossi. France advanced, though it was defeated by Germany in an unforgettable 5-4 penalty kick semi-final, after a 3-3 tie in 120 minutes of play. It was the first time a qualified team defined its place in a World Cup final by penalty kicks.

Italy still crashed the Poland of star Boniek in the semi-finals to decide the title in Madrid against the Germany led by veteran Breitner and other stars such as Rummenigge and Littbarski. Italians scored 3-0 and accepted a goal at the end of the game. Without any explanations to the press, the players came back home carrying the World Cup in their hands.