The Azzurri's watertight rearguard set up victory in Berlin as French legend Zinedine Zidane exited the world stage in disgrace. We look back at the highlights of a memorable tournament
Monday 12 March 2018 12:04, UK
Italy, with their watertight defence, lifted their fourth World Cup during an incident-packed tournament.
The Azzurri carved their way to glory while the hosts also enjoyed a fine run under then-manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
France legend Zinedine Zidane, though, stole the headlines as his final professional match was concluded with a red card for a moment of madness.
Hosts Germany, who qualified automatically, were drawn alongside Ecuador, Poland and Costa Rica in Group A.
They got their campaign off to a flying start with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Costa Rica with Philipp Lahm's opening goal a stunning way to get the tournament under way.
Ecuador then edged out Poland before a goal from Oliver Neuville saw Germany also defeat their European neighbours.
The Ecuadorians continued their fine start with a 3-0 triumph against Costa Rica but they came undone against Germany, whose win secured them top spot.
Poland then earned their first victory versus Costa Rica as Ecuador finished runners-up in Group A.
Sven Goran Eriksson's England faced Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago in Group B.
The Three Lions ground out a 1-0 win over Paraguay in their opening clash as Carlos Gamarra diverted home David Beckham's free-kick.
Sweden were held to a 0-0 stalemate in their opening game with Trinidad before England downed the Caribbean nation thanks to late goals from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard.
The Swedes recorded their first win over Paraguay before a 2-2 draw with England ensured the Three Lions topped the group and their Scandinavian counterparts finished second.
England then locked horns with Sweden in a game that finished 2-2 but was marred by a serious knee injury to key striker Michael Owen, whose tournament came to an end.
Group C was considered the so-called 'group of death' as Argentina, Holland Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro battled for qualification to the last 16.
Two-time winners Argentina were made to fight for a 2-1 success over Ivory Coast before Holland recorded a 1-0 victory against Serbia.
Argentina then put on an almighty show as they smashed Serbia for six to seal their passage from Group C, while Holland's win against Ivory Coast also clinched their qualification.
Ivory Coast at least ended their campaign on a positive note courtesy of a 3-2 win over Serbia whilst Holland and Argentina played out a goalless draw to ensure the latter finished top of the group on goal difference.
Portugal topped Group D on maximum points after seeing off Angola, Iran and Mexico.
The Mexicans landed second spot after downing Iran 3-1 in their first game before earning a point against Angola.
Italy and Ghana also progressed to the first knockout round after the pair finished first and second in Group E respectively.
The Czech Republic started promisingly as they brushed aside the United States 3-0 while Italy saw off Ghana 2-0.
But the Czechs were to be undone by the Ghanaians in their second game while Italy played out a 1-1 draw with USA.
In the final round of games in Group E, Italy ended the Czech Republic's participation while Ghana's 2-1 win over the United States sealed the runners-up berth.
Brazil, who for the first time as holders did not automatically qualify to defend their trophy, were placed against Australia, Croatia and Japan in Group F.
Australia, playing in their first World Cup for 32 years, began with a victory as they overcame Japan 3-1 while Brazil edged out Croatia thanks to Kaka's goal.
Croatia and Japan played out a goalless stalemate while Carlos Alberto Parreira's Brazil rose to dispose of Australia before beating Japan to wrap up top position.
In the final Group F encounter, Croatia and Australia drew 2-2 as the latter became the first ever Oceania team to reach the knockout stages. However, the game between the pair was marred by referee Graham Poll astonishingly handing out three yellow cards to the same player.
A solid Switzerland side marched to the top of Group G as France overcame a slow start to finish second.
In Group H, Spain advanced with a 100 per cent record while Ukraine sealed the second-placed berth as Tunisia and Saudi Arabia failed to earn wins.
Hosts Germany were paired against Sweden in the last 16. They advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to two early goals from Lukas Podolski.
Argentina had to rely on an extra-time strike from Maxi Rodriguez against Mexico to help them progress.
Beckham was the hero for England as his free-kick disposed of Ecuador while Maniche netted the only goal of a heated game for Portugal versus Holland.
Italy advanced in controversial circumstances against Australia. Having had defender Marco Materazzi dismissed, the Azzurri scored late via Francesco Totti's penalty.
Switzerland exited on penalties against Ukraine but boasted having gone the entire tournament without conceding a goal.
Brazil were comfortable victors against Ghana while France recovered from a goal down to defeat Spain.
Germany met Argentina in the quarter-finals and the duo's contest was forced to be decided on penalties after 120 minutes ended 1-1. The Germans held their nerve and progressed to the semi-finals.
Italy took on Ukraine in their quarter-final clash and were comfortable 3-0 winners, while Thierry Henry was the hero for France as his goal saw off holders Brazil.
England faced Portugal in a match that saw Wayne Rooney dismissed while David Beckham suffered injury. The Three Lions managed to hold out for penalties but ultimately fell.
Germany locked horns with Italy in the first of two all-European semi-finals. The encounter went to extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes.
And the result looked set to be decided on penalties until Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero scored dramatically late goals to send the Azzurri to the final and break the host nation's hearts.
In the second semi-final, a Zidane spot-kick proved decisive as France edged out Portugal in Munich.
The final between France and Italy took place at Olympiastadion in Berlin, with the former taking an early lead.
Zidane converted from the penalty spot on seven minutes but Italy responded through defender Marco Materazzi 12 minutes later.
Luca Toni hit the woodwork in normal time while Florent Malouda saw appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Horacio Elizondo.
And then in extra-time, legendary midfielder Zidane was dismissed. The Frenchman launched a headbutt into the chest of Materazzi and was duly sent off.
A penalty shoot-out then followed and David Trezeguet was the villain for Les Bleus as he saw his shot saved before Grosso dispatched the winning spot-kick for Marcello Lippi's Italy, who went the whole tournament having conceded just twice.
The Azzurri had landed their first world title in 24 years - their fourth overall. The victory also signified a team effort with 21 of their 23-man squad participating and 10 of those players finding the net.
