The Calciopoli scandal was breaking at home Italian football was being torn apart by match-fixing revelations. Lippi's squad used the crisis as fuel. Cannavaro was imperious in defence, Pirlo orchestrated from deep, and Grosso's curling winner against Germany in the semifinal was the goal of the tournament. They conceded just two goals one an own goal, one a penalty.

Zidane's Panenka penalty chipped down the centre with insolent calm was the most audacious moment in World Cup final history. Materazzi had equalised with a header. In extra time, Zidane headbutted Materazzi and was sent off the last act of a legendary career. Italy won the penalty shootout 5-3. Grosso scored the decisive kick. Italy's fourth title came from the most turbulent circumstances imaginable.

Zinedine Zidane had come out of international retirement for one last tournament. Brazil's squad was packed with stars: Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Adriano. Ghana and Ivory Coast were bringing a new wave of West African talent. Italy, plagued by a match-fixing scandal at home, arrived under a cloud. Fan zones, a new concept, were being set up across Germany.

Germany called it Sommermärchen, a summer fairy tale. The country, still wrestling with reunification's economic costs, used the tournament to project warmth and modernity. The Iraq War continued. Twitter launched that year. Football was about to enter the social media age.

Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Hanover, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Nuremberg, and Kaiserslautern hosted matches. The inclusion of Leipzig, in the former East Germany, was symbolically significant. Fan zones in city centres, a new invention, transformed the urban experience. Teams were based at dedicated training camps, many at Bundesliga club facilities. Germany's rail network offered free travel for ticket holders.

The tournament generated an estimated €3 billion in economic activity. The fan zone concept, pioneered here, changed how future tournaments engaged with cities beyond the stadiums. Urban regeneration in Leipzig and other eastern cities received a boost. Germany's international image was transformed, shedding post-war severity for openness and warmth. Tourism increased by 8% in host cities. The Sommermärchen became a reference point for how a World Cup can reshape a nation's self-image.

Fabio Cannavaro was the tournament's outstanding player not a single attacker got past him. Andrea Pirlo reinvented the deep-lying playmaker role. Zidane, in his final tournament, was imperious until the 110th minute. Miroslav Klose scored five goals for Germany, beginning his long march toward the all-time record. Thierry Henry led France's unexpected revival.

Zidane's Panenka penalty against Italy in the final chipped with insolent calm was followed 15 minutes later by his headbutt on Materazzi, the most shocking moment in World Cup final history. Grosso's curling winner against Germany in the semifinal brought Italian commentators to tears. Maniche's unstoppable strike for Portugal against the Netherlands was the goal of the tournament. The golden generation of so many nations peaked and faded here.