The End of the Road for Zidane and France

Last night Italy became World Champions in a game that will not be remembered for the football but for one incident and one incident only! John Motson summed the game up at the start of extra time by saying about Zidane that he was still the best player on the pitch.  It was a game that he was never a full part of.  Yes, there were flashes of his potential brilliance but nothing substantial.  The first 20 minutes saw two goals and it looked to be the makings of a good, open and attractive game.  But at 1-1 both teams slipped back into defensive ways.  Italy always looking the more dangerous and come half time, you would have thought if the Italians could hold onto the pace of the game, they would overwhelm the aging French, but the game was beginning to taper off.

When the second half came, it was the French who raised their game.  At times looking dangerous but never really threatening Buffon in the Italian goal.  It was a dragging final, not one for the fans to get roused by.  The game became cagey with both teams afraid to commit players to grab that elusive goal.  It was inevitable that the game would  into extra time.  Both keepers had very little to do and the game was winding down.

The game fell into a farse.  The red mist descended onto one of the greatest players, in his last ever game and he lost it.  It can happen to anyone, the anger cannot be controlled and he lashed out.  This is by no means an excuse, it was a despicable action, that deserved the punishment, however the referee became aware of the incident.  It was the only real defining moment in the game and was the only thing that got the crowd going, which sums up the game by no mans a classic. 

Even the penalty shootout had little flair.  Bang, bang, bang only the bar could defeat the French.  To be fair to the Italians everyone of their penalties was calm and collected but there was no hit, miss or maybe of penalty shootouts past.

The Italians, embroiled in corruption scandals, win the World Cup.  It is a shocker, a team of not so great players, but great defenders.  Zidane has been given the Golden Ball but Canavaro was by far the best player of the tournament, not a flair player, a solid, well marshaled centre back who a long with his fellow defenders won the World Cup for Italy. There will be fallout, and I guess if things go as they are heading in Italy, most of the squad will be out on their ear and most likely end up in the Premiership as bargain purchases made by thrifty chairmen on the back of winnig the world cup. 

Overall, I was disappointed with the latter stages of the World Cup.  It lost it's spectacle.  I stand by the fact that the better nations need to start playing to their potential so as to maintain the level of support seen in this World Cup.