10 Underrated FIFA World Cup Moments

1. Zidane's Masterclass Against Brazil - 2006

Netherlands' Memphis Depay, left, celebrates with his teammate Arjen Robben after scoring his side's second goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Chile at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 20
THOMAS KIENZLE/AP

Zinedine Zidane had decided to retire no matter what after the 2006 World Cup. He had retired from international football before and reversed his decision to help France qualify for the tournament. It would be a fitting way for a legendary player to bow out.

A player who had won every major competition he could hope to win, including the World Cup, the European Championships and the Champions League. We know how it all ended. Zidane got France to the final and received a red card in the final for a headbutt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

That was after he had been deservedly named as the player of the tournament. He scored goals at key moments for his country and orchestrated play throughout. His finest moment arrived at the quarter-final stage. France were pitted against Brazil, rivals they had beaten in the 1998 final. Zidane, who had turned 34 the previous week, put in a masterclass to remind any viewers who had forgotten that he was bowing out at the top of his game.

FIFA uploaded the entire match to YouTube recently. If you want to watch a master at work, enjoy.

Contributor

Jay Russell hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.