Italy coach Lippi: Greatest moment of my life
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Italy have lifted the World Cup after defeating France 5-3 on penalties last night in Berlin.
Fabio Grosso scored the winning goal after France's David Trezeguet missed.
Playing his last game before retiring, Zinedine Zidane's career ended in disgrace after he was sent off for crazily headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Zidane had put France ahead early on with a coolly-taken chipped penalty, before Materazzi levelled with a header from an Andrea Pirlo corner.
The result caps an incredible period for Italian football, with the domestic game embroiled in a corruption scandal similar to 1982 when they last won the World Cup.
They have now won the competition four times, one fewer than Brazil, and it was the first time they managed to win a World Cup match on penalties after three failed attempts.
But France legend Zidane may forever be haunted by the moment of madness which cost him a second World Cup title.
Only Zidane knows why he chose to shove his head into Materazzi's chest after the two had exchanged words with 10 minutes left of extra-time.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said winning the World Cup was the greatest moment of his life after their nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over France.
An emotional Lippi said: "I have to say thanks to the players. This is the most satisfying moment of my life.
"I dedicate the victory to my family. The players have unlimited heart, character and personality.
"Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel."
He added: "I've had the fortune to win the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles, but I've never felt anything like this."
Fabio Grosso scored the winning goal after France's David Trezeguet missed.
Playing his last game before retiring, Zinedine Zidane's career ended in disgrace after he was sent off for crazily headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Zidane had put France ahead early on with a coolly-taken chipped penalty, before Materazzi levelled with a header from an Andrea Pirlo corner.
The result caps an incredible period for Italian football, with the domestic game embroiled in a corruption scandal similar to 1982 when they last won the World Cup.
They have now won the competition four times, one fewer than Brazil, and it was the first time they managed to win a World Cup match on penalties after three failed attempts.
But France legend Zidane may forever be haunted by the moment of madness which cost him a second World Cup title.
Only Zidane knows why he chose to shove his head into Materazzi's chest after the two had exchanged words with 10 minutes left of extra-time.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said winning the World Cup was the greatest moment of his life after their nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over France.
An emotional Lippi said: "I have to say thanks to the players. This is the most satisfying moment of my life.
"I dedicate the victory to my family. The players have unlimited heart, character and personality.
"Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel."
He added: "I've had the fortune to win the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles, but I've never felt anything like this."
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