Italy won their fourth title on penalties over France, but the Final is remembered above all for Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi in his last match.
Philipp Lahm opened the scoring with a stunning long-range strike in the 6th minute. Miroslav Klose scored twice on his 28th birthday as Germany won 4–2, though defensive concerns were noted as Costa Rica's Paulo Wanchope scored twice. Source — Wikipedia:
The 2006 FIFA World Cup kicked off in Munich with hosts Germany defeating Costa Rica 4–2 in an entertaining opening match. The tournament featured 32 teams across 12 venues and ran from 9 June to 9 July, marking Germany's first World Cup as a unified nation. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup
Ecuador upset Poland 2–0 in Gelsenkirchen with goals from Carlos Tenorio and Agustín Delgado. This result immediately put Ecuador in pole position alongside Germany in Group A, while Poland's tournament was already under pressure. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_A
Debutants Trinidad and Tobago earned a remarkable 0–0 draw against Sweden despite having defender Avery John sent off in the second half. Shaka Hislop produced a string of fine saves in one of the tournament's most celebrated underdog results. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B
Argentina delivered the tournament's most dominant group-stage performance, demolishing Serbia and Montenegro 6–0 in Gelsenkirchen. Esteban Cambiasso's goal after a 24-pass move became one of the most celebrated team goals in World Cup history. Source — Wikipedia: )
The Czech Republic opened their campaign with a convincing 3–0 win over the United States in Gelsenkirchen. Jan Koller, Tomáš Rosický (2) scored, but Koller's subsequent injury would derail the Czechs' tournament. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_E
Italy opened with a 2–0 win over Ghana in Hanover, with Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta scoring. The match came amid the escalating Calciopoli match-fixing scandal in Italian football, which would later see Juventus relegated and points deductions for several clubs. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_E
Spain announced their credentials with a 4–0 demolition of Ukraine in Leipzig. David Villa scored twice, including a penalty, while Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso also netted in a commanding performance under manager Luis Aragonés. Source — Wikipedia:
Portugal secured their place in the Round of 16 with a 2–0 win over Iran in Frankfurt. Deco scored a fine opener before Cristiano Ronaldo added a second from the penalty spot, ensuring Luiz Felipe Scolari's side topped the group ahead of Mexico. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_C
Holders Brazil secured a 2–0 win over Australia in Munich with goals from Adriano and Fred. Australia, managed by Guus Hiddink, competed well but Brazil's quality told, putting the defending champions on course to top Group F. Source — Wikipedia:
France's difficulties continued as they drew 1–1 with South Korea in Leipzig. Thierry Henry's early goal was cancelled out by Park Ji-sung, leaving Raymond Domenech's side facing possible group-stage elimination. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_G
The group stage ended with Argentina, Netherlands, Portugal, Mexico, Italy, Ghana, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Ukraine, Switzerland, South Korea, France, Togo, England, and Ecuador advancing. Notably, no African or Asian side reached the knockout stage as a group winner. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup
Germany swept into the quarterfinals with a 2–0 win over Sweden in Munich. Lukas Podolski scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, both set up by Miroslav Klose, as Jurgen Klinsmann's side delivered a ruthless, fast-starting performance. Source — Wikipedia: )
Argentina edged Mexico 2–1 in Leipzig after extra time. Rafael Márquez scored early for Mexico, Hernán Crespo equalised, and Maxi Rodríguez scored a stunning volley in the 98th minute to send Argentina through in a hard-fought contest. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_v_Mexico_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Portugal beat the Netherlands 1–0 in Nuremberg in a match that produced a record-tying 16 yellow cards and four reds. Maniche scored the only goal, but the match became infamous for its extraordinary level of indiscipline and on-field confrontations. Source — Wikipedia: )
David Beckham's 60th-minute free kick gave England a 1–0 win over Ecuador in Stuttgart, making him the first Englishman to score in three World Cups. The performance was laboured, but Sven-Göran Eriksson's side advanced to the last eight. Source — Wikipedia: )
The Portugal-Netherlands last-16 match saw Russian referee Valentin Ivanov issue 16 yellow cards and four red cards, both World Cup records. The match, dubbed the 'Battle of Nuremberg,' featured multiple brawls and Sepp Blatter later suggested Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal_v_Netherlands_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
A controversial 95th-minute penalty converted by Francesco Totti gave Italy a 1–0 win over 10-man Australia in Kaiserslautern. Lucas Neill was adjudged to have fouled Fabio Grosso, though the decision remains heavily debated; Australia had been reduced to ten men after Marco Materazzi's red card. Source — Wikipedia: )
Ukraine reached the quarterfinals by winning 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw with Switzerland in Cologne. Switzerland became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated without conceding a single goal in the tournament. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland_v_Ukraine_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Brazil cruised past Ghana 3–0 in Dortmund with goals from Ronaldo, Adriano, and Zé Roberto. Ronaldo's goal made him the all-time World Cup top scorer with 15 goals, surpassing Gerd Müller's record, though Ghana felt two of Brazil's goals were offside. Source — Wikipedia: )
France came from behind to beat Spain 3–1 in Hanover, with Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane scoring late goals. David Villa's penalty had given Spain the lead before Franck Ribéry equalised, and Zidane's stoppage-time goal confirmed France's resurgence. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain_v_France_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Italy comfortably reached the semifinals with a 3–0 win over Ukraine in Hamburg. Gianluca Zambrotta opened the scoring early, and Luca Toni added two second-half headers as Italy's defence kept yet another clean sheet. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_v_Ukraine_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Germany won 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw with Argentina in Berlin. Roberto Ayala headed Argentina ahead, but Miroslav Klose equalised; after extra time, Jens Lehmann saved penalties from Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso amid a post-shootout brawl. Source — Wikipedia: )
France stunned holders Brazil 1–0 in Frankfurt, with Thierry Henry scoring the winner from Zinedine Zidane's free kick in the 57th minute. Zidane's masterful performance confirmed France's revival and ended Brazil's reign as world champions. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_v_France_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Portugal won 3–1 on penalties after a 0–0 draw with England in Gelsenkirchen. Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, and Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo saved from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Jamie Carragher in the shootout. Source — Wikipedia: )
Italy scored twice in the final minutes of extra time to beat hosts Germany 2–0 in Dortmund. Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero struck in the 119th and 121st minutes, ending Germany's run in one of the great World Cup semifinals. Source — Wikipedia: )
Zinedine Zidane's 33rd-minute penalty sent France to the Final with a 1–0 win over Portugal in Munich. The penalty was awarded for a foul on Thierry Henry by Ricardo Carvalho, and France's defence held firm to secure their place against Italy. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_v_Portugal_(2006_FIFA_World_Cup)
Germany claimed third place with a 3–1 win over Portugal in Stuttgart. Bastian Schweinsteiger scored twice from long range, with Petit scoring an own goal between them, as the hosts signed off their tournament on a positive note. Source — Wikipedia: )
In the 110th minute of extra time in the Final, Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in the chest after verbal provocation and was sent off in his last professional match. The incident became one of the most iconic and controversial moments in World Cup history. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Final
Italy won their fourth World Cup title, beating France 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in Berlin. Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring with a seventh-minute penalty before Marco Materazzi equalised with a header; the match went to penalties after extra time, during which Zidane was sent off. Source — Wikipedia:
The Final was decided by penalties after extra time, with Italy converting all five attempts through Pirlo, Materazzi, De Rossi, Del Piero, and Grosso. David Trezeguet's spot kick struck the crossbar, proving the decisive miss in the 5–3 shootout victory for Italy. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_Final