July 9, 2006, a date engraved in the hearts of all Italians. In fact, fourteen years ago, Italy became World Champion for the fourth time. Likewise, looking at those images still makes our hearts beat faster. So, let's retrace the ride of ours Azzurri until the historic triumph of Berlin.
Calciopoli and a little blue sky
The adventure of the Italian national team in Germany in 2006 begins under a bad star. In fact we are in full swing Calciopoli. Some of the Azzurri who left for the tournament are also involved. We talk about the same CT, Marcello Lippi. It is about his son Alessandro. He is also among the people investigated. But Marcello Lippi is good at protecting the team. He manages to isolate the team by giving his boys internal goals.
At the same time Lippi anticipates his idea of leaving the national team after the World Cup. Therefore, despite a contract of another two years, the manager is ready to leave the team at the end of the world championship.
The group stage of the 2006 World Cup
Immediately, in the first game, Italy made their debut in their group with a 2-0 victory over Ghana. The signatures are by Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta. The second race is with the United States. Even if the game on paper is within our reach, we suffer on the pitch. There is a lot of talk about a young Daniele De Rossi who gets expelled for an elbow. In fact, for that gesture, the son of his inexperience, he receives a disqualification of five games. At the same time, Alessandro Nesta was injured and had to give way to Marco Materazzi, who remained on the pitch for the rest of the tournament.
Of the match against the USA we remember Alberto Gilardino's 1-0. But we also remember Cristian Zaccardo's own goal. Zaccardo's is the only goal that Gigi Buffon undergoes on action. So the game ends 1 to 1 and the passage of the turn is only postponed. The last match of the group sees the Azzurri win against the Czech Republic. The goals from Materazzi and Inzaghi avoid the scarecrow Brazil.
Dreaming of July 9: the race to the final
In the second round we find Australia, another hard-fought game. A 0 to 0 that up to a few seconds from the ninetieth worries our fate. In the final Fabio Grosso gets a generous penalty and Francesco Totti closes the game with a narrow victory. In the quarterfinals there is Shevchenko's Ukraine, which we easily overcome by 3 to 0. A brace from Luca Toni and a goal from Zambrotta make us pass the round. In the semifinal we meet the hosts, Germany. Even if we are a black beast for the Germans, the game ends 0-0. We only manage to win in extra time. Particularly nice is to see Fabio Grosso who scores and runs away, screaming like Tardelli in 1982. Finally, Alessandro Del Piero face to face with the German goalkeeper scores the 2-0 goal and we go to Berlin.
July 9, 2006: the sky is blue over Berlin!
The final will be played in Berlin on 9 July 2006. An old acquaintance, France, against Italy. On the other hand, the Blues beat us at the 98 World Cup and in the final at Euro 2000. Even the final starts badly for the Azzurri. Zinedine Zidane scores a penalty in the first half. While it is Marco Materazzi, in the second half who equalizes the score with a header. It is a game where Italy must suffer a lot. But surprisingly, in extra time, Zidane, teased by Materazzi, gets sent off. So the famous header to the defender Azzurro and the expulsion ends the career of the French champion. But the 2006 World Cup it is decided on penalties.
The only one to make mistakes is Juventus' David Trezeguet. While Fabio Grosso's goal colors the sky above Berlin blue. The 2006 final is also the match of Fabio Cannavaro. The Azzurro captain, who is also in his 1934th appearance with the national team, raises the World Cup to the sky. For Italy it is the fourth title after those of 1938, 1982 and XNUMX.
