1. Zinedine Zidane France v Italy (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITdPTKpGHuI France legend Zinedine Zidane was making his last ever international appearance before retirement in the 2006 World Cup Final against Italy, and he seemed to have set up a fairy tale ending to his glittering career when he converted a penalty after seven minutes. But Marco Materazzi - who is also a key character in this tale, scored an equalising goal just over ten minutes later. With the game deadlocked, the tie entered extra-time as neither side could find a breakthrough after 90 minutes, and full-on controversy ensued with the game nearing the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Zidane squared up to Materazzi and head-butted, yes, head-butted the Italian in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the floor in agony. The Frenchman later insisted he was provoked by the Italian who allegedly insulted his mother and sister; Materazzi allegedly told Zidane to "calm down" before accusing him of being a "liar" and wished "an ugly death to you and your family". This was followed by "Go f*** yourself".* Italy won the Final on penalties but Zidane would have the last laugh when his head-butt was immortalised by a 16 ft bronze statue,** which stands outside the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Source(s): *
BBC, **
Telegraph