FIFA World Cup History – FIFA World Cup 2006
FIFA World Cup 2006 took place in Germany from 9th of June to 9th of July. This World Cup still stands as one of the most watched events in the television history as approximately 26.29 billion watched this amazing football event. There were 32 teams that qualified for this FIFA World Cup and there were 8 groups of 4 as the FIFA World Cup 2006 started.
In the first group, Germany, Ecuador, Poland and Costa Rica had to fight each other for a spot in the pre quarter finals. The Germans managed to impress as usual and won all the matches to lead the points table and qualified for the next round. Ecuador lost only one match and managed to qualify as runner-ups of the group.
In the second group, England, Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago had to battle it out between each other for a spot in the pre quarter finals. The results were quiet obvious as the English won two matches and drew one, topping the group to qualify for the next round. Paraguay and Sweden, however, were tough contenders for the second spot. Sweden overcame the odds and won the match 1-0, against Paraguay to help themselves advance into the next round.
In the third group, Argentina, Netherlands, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro had to face each other to qualify for the next round. The Argentineans and Dutch, both, remained undefeated as they both won 2 matches and drew against each other to qualify for the next round. Argentina, however, won the battle with goal difference and topped the group while the Dutch were runner-ups of the group.
In the fourth group, Portugal and Mexico took over Angola and Iran. Portuguese won all their matches to top the group while the Mexicans had to suffer a loss against the Portuguese and a draw from Angola. However, they easily managed to end up as runner-ups of the group to qualify for the next round.
In the fifth group, the over-impressive Italians had to face Ghana, Czech Republic and United States. The Italians drew the match 1-1 against the Americans and won all their matches to top the group and qualify for the next round. Ghana, managed to impress the football fans ending up as runner-ups of the group, by defeating the Americans.
In the sixth group, the Brazilians barely faced a competition. They had Australia, Croatia and Japan in their group and none of these were a match for the mighty South Americans. The Brazilians won all their matches and scored 9 points to top the table. Australia, however, managed to get a good 4 points to qualify for the next round as the group’s runner-ups.
In the seventh group, Switzerland shocked France by topping the group while Korea Republic and Togo did not manage to qualify. The Swiss were looking to be a tough side but the French had their legend Zinedine Zidane to help them go through. The French only secured 5 points and qualified for the pre quarter finals as the runner ups.
In the last group, Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia had to go head to head to qualify for the next round. Spain showed the world what they were made of, as they won all their matches and qualified for the pre quarter finals with an “all-winning” streak. The Ukrainians were not a bad side either as they won two of their matches as well. The last two teams, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia only managed to get a draw against each other and were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup.
Then the pre quarter finals came. The matches Italy vs. Australia, England vs. Ecuador, and Portugal vs. Netherlands were all won by a single goal; as Italy, England and Portugal advanced to the quarter finals. Germany won their match against Ghana 2-1 and took advantage of their home soil. Argentina won the match from their fellow South American side, Mexico, during extra time. The match ended 2-1 as the world saw Argentina go through to the quarter finals. The match between Switzerland and Ukraine went on to penalties as they both did not manage to score a goal during the match. Ukraine won the match 3-0 to qualify for the quarter finals. Brazil defeated Ghana 3-0 while the French defeated the very impressive Spanish side 3-1, as they both qualified for the quarter finals.
During the quarter finals, the hosts Germany had to face Argentina. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and went on to penalties. Germany won the match 4-2 and kept their 100% record of not losing on a penalty shootout, ever. Italy went on to defeat the Ukrainians 3-0 to qualify for the semi finals. The match between England and Portugal was a total drama. It ended goalless and advanced to a penalty shootout. England lost the match as their star player David Beckham missed a penalty. Portugal advanced by winning the match 3-1 against the English side. France, in the last quarter final, overcame the odds by defeating Brazil 1-0, as Henry scored in the second half to help his team advance to the next round.
The host nation Germany had to face Italy while the Portuguese had to face the French in the semi finals. Italy defeated the host nation Germany, 2-0, to qualify for the final. The Germans did not have a very good team but they still managed to come to the semi finals and it was appreciated by the German fans. On the other hand, the French looked to be a very strong side with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Frank Ribery and Thierry Henry. French won the match 1-0 and qualified for the final against the Italians, as Zidane scored the goal and did his part for his country.
The final was filled with drama as both the teams collided to win the gold and the glory. Zidane scored the first goal in the 7th minute as he took a controversial penalty and helped his country take the lead. In the 19th minute, Italy equalized as Pirlo took a corner while Materazzi was there to put it home. The match then went into extra time where Zidane looked to be at his best. He was controlling the ball magnificently and was not letting the Italians capitalize. Zidane could win the man of the match award as he was playing at the top of his form; until, there was a little “fight” between the Italian defend Materrazi and Zinedine Zidane, who head-butted him down to the floor. He was given a straight red and the dreams of the French were shattered when the match went off to a penalty shootout. Everyone knew the Italian keeper Buffon was too experienced for this and the Italians won the FIFA World Cup 2006 on a penalty shootout as Trezeguet missed his penalty and the Italians scored from all 5. The match ended, and Italians won the World Cup. The German attacker Miroslav Klose won the golden boot award while Zinedine Zidane still managed to get his hands on the golden ball award.
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