Given that most finals since 1986 have been rather drab affairs it was not right to have great expectations from this Italy Vs France final either. But it was a pleasant surprise. The match had all the elements of a potential blockbuster movie. A host of stars, who wanted a last hurrah, retiring after the match, added further spice. Also, Italy had not lost a match since 1986 in normal time (shootout in 90, 94 and 98; golden goal in 2002)

The match almost started with a penalty. France was awarded one in the 5^th minute. Zidane took an audacious shot and gave France a lead. Given that France had already had matches were all they did was hold on to a 1-0 advantage, there were fears that the rest of the match could be the same. But Italy came back very strongly and equalized by the 20^th minute. Materazzi, the guy who conceded the penalty, headed home a goal, how filmyJ The Italians then tried to get a lead of their own but that was not to be. The French defense of the set pieces was particularly awful. Every time Italy got a corner or free kick you sensed there was an opportunity but somehow they failed (once thwarted by crossbar also). Barthez was his usual incompetent self (the goal could have been saved).

Second half had the French coming out with more purpose but the famed Italian defence held on magnificently. I have to admit that no other team has given me so much joy in seeing tackles. The way Italians do is plain awesome. Cannavaro is the best defender in the world and I think he will get the golden ball as well. The match meandered towards extra time in spite of Italians getting Del Peiro, Iaquinta and De Rossi (back after serving a 4 match ban) in for a more attacking formation.

Extra time saw the moment of the day. With less than 10 minutes remaining, something possessed Zidane and he head butted Materazzi. Zidane was promptly and rightly sent off to end his illustrious career in a disgusting manner. What a shame! You don't expect someone of this stature to end his career in this way.

But the match then went to penalties to give a sense of déjà vu. The only other final to go to shootout was 1994 were Italy had lost (thanks to Baggio and Baresi missing penalties) to Brazil and Italy had a poor record in shootouts. You got the sense that the goalies would be the difference but how wrong was that! Both of them did not have to do anything. It was amazing penalty taking. France missed their regular takers like Zidane(sent off), Henry and Viera (Substituted) but still were good. Only the second one taken by Trezuguet was missed. As Grosso stepped forward the tension was palpable and he had the whole nation's expectations riding on his shoulders. He coolly slotted home to start wild celebrations. Italy had won a shootout 5-3 in WC, an achievement in itselfJ, but in the final made it all the more sweeter for them. France played well but just didn't look threatening to take it past the Italians. A good match to end a fantastic WC!

The questions uppermost on everybody's mind were (as pointed out yesterday) –
Can the famed Azzuri defence, which has let only one goal in the tourney so far and that too an own goal, be able to hold Klose and Podolski?  Can Toni, Totti, Del Peiro turn it on for the Azzuri’s? Who among Gattuso and Ballack will win the battle for the midfield for their team? Who will blink first?

The answers were got in magnificent fashion.  First half was all about settling down and Italy did that better and faster. Anyone still thinking about Italy as a defensive minded team, Lippi had a surprise for them. Italy was good in attack and defense. Gattuso and co not just dominated mid-field (reflected in the possession stats) but managed to keep Ballack quiet. Cannavaro, the Italian captain, was outstanding in defense. First half though did not witness much action near the goal mouth and both Buffon and Lehmann seemed to be in a picnic. German defense performed admirably as well.  Toni missed a chance and but the Schneider miss was glaring.

Second half started at a furious pace with Germany leading the way and bringing out the best in Buffon. Podolski missed and immediately Lehmann pulled off a save to deny Grosso. The Germans seemed to be tiring and both teams did not make their 3^rd substitutions knowing extra time was imminent.

Extra time had a raring Italy having a go at Germany. Del Peiro, Gilardino and Iaquinta introduced later in the match had fresh legs and they troubled the German defense. The goal post and cross bar came to German rescue on a couple of occasions. Substitute Odonkor made a difference for Germany and his cross was headed wide by Podolski. Del Peiro strike went wide as Buffon managed a spectacular save off Podolski again. Just when it looked like penalties would arrive, in the 119^th min, an Italian corner as Lehmann made another save. From this corner, Pirlo gathered possession and passed on to an unmarked Grosso who struck to the far post for a goal. What a strike it was! It can be rated as one of the goals of the tourney not just for the way it was struck but also for the pressure that was there. It could have been a different story if Odonkor had not moved out of place while defending the corner. The Germans had to go all out and this led to opening up their defence and in the last minute, Del Peiro slotted home to give Italy a 2-0 win and break a lot of German hearts.

Italy looks to be the team to beat! They were the better team and created better chances. Germany though played well, just didn't have the wherewithal to break the amazing Azzuri defense. The Italians take pride in their defense and this was definitely the high point. It just showed they were in a different league by the quality of tackles. Just amazing

The semi finals for the WC start today.  Only 4 teams remain and all are form Europe only the fourth time this has happened. 3 former champions are in the fray.

The first semi final pits - Germany the host and 3 time champion (1954, 1974,1990) take on Italy who are 3 time champions themselves  (1934,1938,1982).  History says Italy is going to win due to their better record against the Germans, in the World Cups or otherwise.  But this is present and currently anything can happen.  The two powerhouses clash and it could be very interesting. Can the famed Azzuri defence, which has let only one goal in the tourney so far and that too an own goal, be able to hold Klose and Podolski?  Can Toni, Totti turnit on for the Azzuri’s? Who among Gattuso and Ballack will win the battle for the midfield for their team? The match starts in 4.5 hours and I am eagerly awaiting it.

The last eight teams in the fray fought over the weekend to reach the semis. What a lineup it was. Of the 7 previous cup winners, 6 had made it to the WC (Uruguay the winner in 1930 and 1950 did not qualify) and all of them made it to the QF. This was the first time since 1982 when the knockout rounds started that there were so many previous winners in the fray.

Argentina Vs Germany ' This was the most awaited match of the tourney so far. Both countries have a good deal of history between them. Argentina came and conquered football fans' hearts by their display whereas Germany, the host nation, had all the momentum going their way. The match was far from being a classic though. In the first half Argentina had all the possession but couldn't make it count. Second half started with an Ayala header which found its mark to take Argentina ahead. Then came the clincher as Argentina's goalie suffered an injury and had to be substituted, thus putting the plans of the Argentinean coach, Pekerman, to risk. I just didn't understand certain changes made by Pekerman though. Riquelme was off colour yes but replacing Crespo with Cruz, no idea. Anyway, as Argentina tried to play out the remaining mins, a fantastic cross by Ballack made it to the 18 yard box, headed home by Klose for his 5^th goal of the tourney. Extra time did not do anything to the scoreline and when it headed to penalties, it was clear Germany had the advantage. Not for nothing is Lehmann considered one of the best goalies in the world and Argentina had their second choice keeping for them. Lehmann apparently had done his homework and saved two from the spot to give Germany a win and remove hopes of an all-South American final. The team which played the most attractive football is now out of the running.

Italy Vs Ukraine ' As expected Italy ran through Ukraine pretty easily. Luca Toni who had a wretched WC so far, found the net twice in the second half as Italy won the match 3-0. Ukraine put everything in the match but that was not enough. Even luck seemed to be on the Italian side as a couple of shots hit the post or were saved by the ever vigilant Buffon. It was a learning experience for Ukraine, who was happy that they got this far at their first WC. Italian defense looks real solid and with Toni back in confidence, it will be a stern test for the Germans now in the semis.

England Vs Portugal ' This match was played with a host of fans rooting for England. With Portugal missing Deco, their influential midfielder, due to suspension, it was supposed to be easier now for the English. The match was a scrappy affair. Portugal created more chances though and were clearly the better team in the first half which ended 0-0. No idea what Engalnd was doing in the first half? Beckham was conspicuous by his absence and Lampard continued his "glorious" run of form. Second half the English were far better when Lennon was introduced. Rooney did a "Beckham" (remember 1998 match against Argentina) and was red carded. Let us not get into whether that was required but the fact of the matter was there could have been only one winner since then. That England held on without conceding was a positive but a negative for Portugal as they couldn't score with a man advantage as nothing happened even in the extra time. As the match meandered towards penalties, it was a sense of déjà vu that came about. England has never won a penalty shootout in WC and they didn't look like doing it this time. Ricardo, the Portugal goalie, was an unknown quantity; but what a performance from him. He saved shots from Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher (why was he bought into the match, if he can't take penalties?) and when Cristiano Ronaldo slotted the ball home Portugal won the match (3-2 on penalties) and with it went the hopes of the English fans. Ricardo became the first keeper to save three penalties in a World Cup shootout. In fact he got a hand to the one that he let in (Hargreaves) also. Fantastic!

Brazil Vs France ' What a shocker of a match! No one, including me, gave France a chance beyond second round and here they were in the QF and went on to upset Brazil. Brazil did not give the confidence of being the winner this time (exception was the Japan match where they looked real good). They played as if it was their divine right to win the cup and that no one would beat them. Like their coach said later on "Getting knocked out was a situation that we hadn't prepared for". Awesome performance by Zizou and he proved yet again why he is one of the greats of modern football (as if he needed to prove anything at all!) France got the lead and held on to it. Bad performance by Brazil and a good one by the French! This is the last time we saw Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo in WC and they went out with a whimper. But where was Ronaldinho? He has been a disappointment of the WC. The question uppermost on everybody's mind is — can the Les Blues do it again? Can they get past Portugal and march into Berlin on July 9? Anything is possible given their performance so far in the KO stages. They are the dark horse.

Day 19 saw two matches which were exciting to say the least. The current champions, ageing former champions, a new exciting force and an old force which never fulfills its potential were on display. This is how they performed

Brazil Vs Ghana ' Brazil the 5 time champion took on Ghana a first timer at WC, who was playing without their most famous player, Essien. Now not much was expected from Ghana except that they will give a good account of themselves. What a display from them. They were just plain unfortunate to have first ended in a tough group and then play the Brazilians in the second. If only they had to face say Ukraine or Switzerland, they would have run over them very easily. Definitely the surprise package of this WC! Brazil scored early through Ronaldo (who became the highest ever scorer in WC history with 15 goals) and then were made to defend for the most of first half. They definitely showed a lot of chinks in the Brazilian armour. If only they had the experience and quality for their strikers . The referees seemed to be overwhelmed by Brazil as there were enough mistakes in their favour (Ex: Adriano goal was off side). Brazil won it 3-0 and the score line did not do justice to the way Ghana played.

Spain Vs France ' Now this was a shocker for me at least. Spain proved yet again why they are called the perennial underachievers of the WC. I was sure Spain is winning this and when they went 1-0 up with a Villa penalty it was reinforced. The French played well but did not have much possession. It looked like Spain can get a goal any time but did not. The French came back with an equalizer just before half-time by Ribery. Second half, there were some surprising substitutions by the Spainish. It was going nowhere and looked headed for extra time when Viera struck to have the French go 2-1 up and in the dying minutes Zidane scored to make it 3-1 for the French. They deserved to win as Spain just did not play to their potential. Spain is out and the tag around their neck continues. France now go on to face Brazil in QF, in what would be a replay of the 1998 WC final and hoping history repeats itself.

Today's matches:

No matches today as all the QF opponents are decided. I am now awaiting with bated breath for the start of QF.

Day 18 saw two matches which were hardly exciting in prospect. But, they did have totally unexpected, exciting momentsJ Let us see how they panned out

Italy Vs Australia ' Italy, the 3 time champions took on Australia who was playing their first WC knock out game in history. Italy was the favorite for sure. This was the match when I felt, for the first time in this WC; the refereeing was not up to mark. The red card was unjustified and this reduced Italy to 10 men. Now, what do you expect an Italian coach to do in this scenario? He took the defensive approach and removed a hugely disappointing Luca Toni with a defender. Thus, robbing us of a possible Inzaghi appearance. Toni and Giardino missed a host of easy chances for Italy. The match was going towards extra time with score 0-0, when in the last minute of injury time (I think last 10 seconds were remaining), an Italian is bought down in the Aussie 18 yard box. The referee points to the spot and Totti (on for a lackluster Del Peiro) slots the ball home to send Italy thru dramatically. The penalty, I felt, was unjustified but that's life. The Aussie didn't even have time to respond to it as that was virtually the last strike of the match. What bad luck for them for they played manfully, if not ever threatening to run away with the match.

Switzerland Vs Ukraine ' Now this was a match of two equally balanced sides with the difference being Sheva in the Ukrainian ranks. I expected much from him but his teammates were in no mood to oblige me. They never setup Sheva properly to trouble the defensive minded Swiss. The match went to shootout (first for this WC edition) and Ukraine were definitely better team there. Sheva missed for Ukraine taking the first kick. The first Swiss kick was saved by the goalie, second hit the crossbar and third was again saved. Any team which cannot slot the first three kicks in a shoot out does not deserve to be in the QF. Swiss bowed out 0-3 on penalties becoming the first team in history to bow out of the competition without conceding a single goal! Italy face Ukraine in QF and seeing the Ukraine performance today would have gladdened many an Italian heart.

Today's matches:

Brazil Vs Ghana ' Now this is going to be a cracker. The Brazilian samba against the African flamboyance of Ghana! Ghana of course will be without their most famous player Michael Essien, due to suspension. Heart wants Ghana to win, as that would be really romantic (you always want to root for an underdogJ), but head says 2-1 to Brazil.

Spain Vs France ' Folks, get ready to say good bye to one of the best footballers of our time. Zinedine Zidane will be playing his last competitive match (he has already retired from club football). I just cant see the ageing French team put it past the Spaniards. 1-0 to Spain!