The 2006 World Cup saw the tournament return to Germany after a 32-year absence and it was widely acclaimed as a triumph for the host nation, sparking a huge upsurge in national pride.

It also heralded a return to prominence for the European super-powers, with all four semi-finalists hailing from Europe for the first time since 1982 after Brazil and Argentina went out in the quarter-finals.

Marcello Lippi's Italy won the final -- their fourth success -- on penalties, with left-back Fabio Grosso sweeping home the decisive spotkick after the game against France ended 1-1.

The abiding image of the final, however, was Zinedine Zidane's scarcely believable headbutt on Italy goalscorer Marco Materazzi and subsequent red card.