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The Road to the Final

July 8, 2006

Italy and France were few people's choices for the World Cup final. But as the tournament progressed both sides hit their stride. DW-WORLD.DE presents match reports, fact files and background on their march to Berlin.

https://p.dw.com/p/8jzR
It's been an emotional rollercoaster for both Italy and France as they have progressed to the final
Italy and France were few people's first choices for the final before the World Cup started but as the tournament progressed both sides hit their stride. Here, DW-WORLD.DE presents the match reports from their march to Berlin.
Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Two Late Extra-Time Goals Kill Off Germany's World Cup Dream

Italy scored two sensational late goals in extra-time to book their place in the World Cup final for the first time in 12 years with their 2-0 win crushing the dreams of host nation Germany in Dortmund on Tuesday.
July 4, 2006

Switzerland Hold France to a Goalless Draw

A lackluster France were held to a draw by Switzerland in their opening game of the World Cup as Zinedine Zidane shined briefly in the first half.
June 13, 2006

Italy Claim Fourth World Cup Title in Penalty Shoot-Out

Italy won the World Cup on penalties Sunday after a dramatic final destined to be remembered for the sensational sending off for French captain Zinedine Zidane in his farewell match.
July 9, 2006

Italy Rock and Roll Their Way to Victory Over Ghana

Italy began their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Hanover on Monday. There was a new attacking flair to the Azzurri but the old habit of play-acting was still in evidence with plenty of theatrics.
June 12, 2006

Zidane's Penalty Decides Nervous Semi as France Make Final

In comparison to the classic match the night before, France and Portugal played out a nervy semi-final in Munich with few clear chances. Zinedine Zidane's penalty was enough to put France in Sunday's final against Italy.
July 5, 2006

More Than Soccer Riding on World Cup Final

Regardless of which team wins, Sunday's World Cup final will be about more than just claiming a soccer title. Both France and Italy are eager for domestic changes to accompany a win in Berlin.
July 9, 2006

With Luck on Their Side, Italy Advance to Quarterfinals

Ten-man Italy won a heart-stopping match against Australia with a penalty kick in stoppage time. Substitute Francesco Totti scored the only goal of the game after a last-minute foul.
June 26, 2006

Three Off in Pulsating But Bad Tempered US, Italy 1-1 Draw

In terms of goals, Italy and the US canceled each other out. In terms of sendings-off; Italy won, having only one man dismissed to USA's two. In between the goals and the cards, everything else possible happened.
June 17, 2006

US Out of World Cup While Ghana, Italy Reach Next Round

Ghana beat a disappointing USA 2-1 in Nuremberg to go into the last 16. They are the fifth African nation to go through the group stages of a World Cup and the continent will definitely celebrate with them.
June 22, 2006

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final: Italy vs France

Here DW-WORLD.DE presents fact files, team profiles and previous match reports of both the World Cup finalists.
July 9, 2006

Italy Make Light Work of Ukraine to Meet Hosts in Semi-Finals

Despite surviving a few scares, Italy finally turned on the style and beat Ukraine in a 3-0 win and waltzed into the semi-finals of the World Cup and a date with hosts Germany in Dortmund on Tuesday.
June 30, 2006

France Lay World Cup Ghosts to Rest With Spot in Final 16

France answered their critics with a 2-0 win against Togo to advance into the round of 16 and claimed their first World Cup win in eight years. Switzerland beat South Korea to win the group.
June 24, 2006
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