World Cup 2014 countdown: Zinedine Zidane head-chest in the 2006 final

Counting down the 100 greatest moments in the history of the World Cup

Simon Rice
Monday 17 March 2014 22:00 EDT
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The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past.

That won't be easy though, as this series will testify. In the run-up to the tournament, we're counting down the 100 greatest World Cup moments.

Check out our latest instalment below, and for any you missed, see the gallery at the end of the article.

Zinedine Zidane head-chest in the 2006 final

The stage was set for a fairy-tale end to the glittering career of Zinedine Zidane. Here was one of the greatest players of all time playing in his last ever game. One more win and he would be lifting the World Cup.

When Italy and France were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game went into extra-time, and this was where the tale took a wicked turn.

Zidane, apparently provoked by Marco Materazzi, walked calmly over to the Italian defender. He then rammed his head into Materazzi's chest, knocking him to the ground.

France's captain was sent off, his team would lose on penalties, and Zidane's extraordinary career was finished in extraordinary fashion.

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