Italia - Campioni Del Mondo! Champions Of The WORLD!

Fabio Grosso steps up confidently... knowing that putting the ball into the back of the net from the penalty spot would make ITALY the WORLD CHAMPIONS....

GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOAL! IT'S THERE! OH MY GOD! ITALY ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS! CAMPIONI DEL MONDO! FORZA ITALIA!

The WORLD CUP BELONGS TO ITALY!!!!!!!

It all could have been different... France took an early lead from a Zidane penalty... after Florent Malouda went to ground in utter exaggeration after minimal contact from Marco Materazzi... What a dive.. But what a cool penalty... Zidane chipped it against the crossbar, sent Buffon the wrong way.. and it crossed the line but only just... 1-0 France.. only the 2nd goal conceded by Italy... first scored by an opposition player... but still none from open play or set pieces...

However, just over ten minutes later.... Classy playmaker Andrea Pirlo delivered yet another pinpoint outswinging corner.. right on to the head of the leaping Centre-Back Marco Materazzi of Inter Milan to deliver an excellent firm header into the back of Barthez' net! 1-1!

The match then went into extra-time.. French legend.. and Golden Ball Winner Zinedine Zidane.. foolishly headbutted Marco Materazzi in a confrontation. The fourth official saw the incident, communicated with the referee, who then duly sent Zidane off. What a head-butt! Worthy of WWE!

Ouch! Materazzi is sent to ground with a powerful headbutt to the chest by Zidane. What was he thinking? The replay showed Materazzi squeezing Zidane's nipples before the pair exchanged 'complimentaries'.. before long... Zidane sent Materazzi sprawling to the ground with that moment of madness...

Zidane can have no complaints whatsoever... What a shame.. It was to be his last match ever for the great magician... After years watching Zidane play... we all have to salute and forgive... he is after all.. a GREAT PLAYER. A LEGEND. Thank you Zidane for everything.

With not much time left... It went to the dreaded Penalty kicks...Juventus' David Trezeguet missed...

While ITALY converted all five penalties with incredible ease and accuracy! Sending them all past Barthez!

Italy are the WORLD CHAMPIONS! FORZA ITALIA! WHAT A GLORIOUS NIGHT FOR ITALIAN FOOTBALL! They deserved it... after all the hard work, humility and discipline showed throughout this grueling tournament. Kudos to them! I am filled with immense joy and satisfaction at this triumph... This victory means a lot personally, to Italian Football and to the people of Italy! I share this joy with all of them!

TIME TO ADD ANOTHER STAR TO MY ITALY JERSEY! HAHAHA!