The Blue; an Italy who were so solid and held ruggedly onto their style of play, sapping France's attacking play at the cost of their own potential going forward.

The White; the kit France played in, as try as they might to break down a solid miserly Italian defence

The Red; the 110th minute red card that ended the mercurial Zinedine Zidane's World Cup final, his dream and his career.

After an electric start who would have though it would have ended up as another contest decided by penalties.

As early as the seventh minute it was 1-0 to France. Florent Malouda was clumsily bundled over in the area to present a penalty to France and offer Zidane a place amongst the footballing greats.

With the confidence only a truly great player can muster Zidane chipped the penalty in. He was thankful for a kind bounce but this was the last time he was to have the god's shine down on him.

Italy redressed the balance after 19 minutes with a sweetly delivered corner finding Marco Materazzi. Rising above the French markers he directed his header goal bound and atoned for the early penalty he so needlessly gave away.

It was at this point that you thought Italy would rise to the occasion and run away with the World Cup. But as always, Italy conservative to the last, they sat back.

France made all the running in the second half with probing play coming from their best two players of the tournament Zidane and Franck Ribery. Malouda joined them this time with eye catching passes and movement.

Once again Thierry Henry was anonymous in movement and effort and when chances came it all looked so half hearted.

Then in extra time it was all about Zidane. His headed chance was so close to sealing it for France, alas an agile Gianluigi Buffon was there to deny him.

On the 110th minute, the skill whispered away as Zidane bulldozed his head into Materazzi's mid-riff and left him crumpled on the floor. A red card followed, Zidane left the pitch in shame and took with him France's chance of World Cup success.

Italy repaid their long suffering fans and didn't miss a penalty kick. France missed their captain, their inspiration, one penalty kick and another chance to lift the World Cup.