There's no need to buy the World Cup highlight DVD after this wacky final. The one game mirrored the entire month: Ugly play, despicable behavior, penalty kicks, shootouts, a head-shaking call by a referee, and fans who, while rowdy, were surprisingly well-behaved.
Bastian Schweinsteiger missed the tournament's first hat-trick but made a double to help Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in their World Cup third place match on Saturday.
As good as he was, Luis Figo could not equal Eusebio.The longtime Portugal captain was unable to lead his country to third place at the World Cup and match his legendary predecessor, possibly ending his international career in a 3-1 loss to Germany on Saturday.
Joerg Kachelmann, ARD television's weather forecaster, told Reuters that temperatures at kickoff at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Sunday for the match at Olympiastadion between Italy and France would be 24 degrees.
In an award overshadowed by debate over the merits or otherwise of runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, Germany striker Lukas Podolski was presented Friday with the trophy for best young player at the World Cup.
No Italian opponent has scored in this World Cup. France has allowed two goals overall. Even with all the offensive flair on both sides, defense will decide the title Sunday in Olympic Stadium.
France start as favourites to win the World Cup final because they are less stressed than Italy, Azzurri forward Alessandro Del Piero said on Thursday.
A tight, technical, low-scoring affair is in prospect for Sunday's World Cup final between France and Italy if the history of their previous meetings in the tournament is repeated.
Zinedine Zidane made sure the last match of his glittering career would be a World Cup final when he presented France with a 1-0 win over Portugal in a tense semi-final.
Few teams faced more questions heading into the World Cup than Italy and France. The French were over the hill - they couldn't even score. The Italians were consumed by the biggest soccer scandal in the nation's history.
Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero grabbed two goals in the final two minutes of extra-time to puncture the German World Cup party and send Italy into the final 2-0.
Will it be unlucky 13 for Luiz Felipe Scolari? The Portugal coach has never lost a World Cup match, a run that has reached 12 unbeaten games at the World Cup dating back to 2002, when he led his native Brazil to the title.
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