FIFA World Cup 2006 – Germany
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was a return to the roots of football, hosted in Germany, a nation with a rich footballing history. It was a tournament that balanced disciplined defending with moments of attacking brilliance, and was notable for its low number of goals but high level of drama. It is perhaps best remembered for the iconic and controversial finale of Zinedine Zidane’s career.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 9 |
 Ecuador |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 |
 Poland |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
 Costa Rica |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 0 |
Match Results
- Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
- Poland 0-2 Ecuador
- Germany 1-0 Poland
- Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica
- Ecuador 0-3 Germany
- Costa Rica 1-2 Poland
The host nation, Germany, got off to a perfect start with a dominant performance, winning all three of their matches. Ecuador also impressed, securing their first-ever place in the knockout stages with two solid wins.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 England |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
 Sweden |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 |
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |
Match Results
- England 1-0 Paraguay
- Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 Sweden
- England 2-0 Trinidad and Tobago
- Sweden 1-0 Paraguay
- Sweden 2-2 England
- Paraguay 2-0 Trinidad and Tobago
England, with their “Golden Generation,” topped the group despite a difficult campaign. Sweden’s 2-2 draw with England in their final group match was a classic, with both teams playing with a free-flowing style. Trinidad and Tobago, in their first World Cup, earned a historic draw against Sweden.
Group C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 7 |
 Netherlands |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
 Ivory Coast |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
| Serbia and Montenegro | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 |
Match Results
- Argentina 2-1 Ivory Coast
- Serbia and Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands
- Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro
- Netherlands 2-1 Ivory Coast
- Netherlands 0-0 Argentina
- Ivory Coast 3-2 Serbia and Montenegro
Dubbed the “Group of Death,” this group was a showcase of attacking talent. Argentina’s 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro, featuring a stunning team goal, was one of the highlights of the tournament. Argentina and the Netherlands played out a tense 0-0 draw to decide the group winner, with Argentina’s better goal difference earning them the top spot.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portugal |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
 Angola |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 |
 Iran |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
Match Results
- Mexico 3-1 Iran
- Angola 0-1 Portugal
- Mexico 0-0 Angola
- Portugal 2-0 Iran
- Portugal 2-1 Mexico
- Iran 1-1 Angola
Portugal, with their star-studded line-up, won all three of their group stage matches. Mexico comfortably secured their spot in the next round, while Angola, in their first World Cup, earned a memorable draw against Mexico.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Italy |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
 Ghana |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
 Czech Republic |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
 United States |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
Match Results
- United States 0-3 Czech Republic
- Italy 2-0 Ghana
- Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana
- Italy 1-1 United States
- Ghana 2-1 United States
- Czech Republic 0-2 Italy
Italy topped this tough group, but it was Ghana who truly shone, becoming the only African team to make it to the knockout stage. The Czech Republic’s early dominance was undone by their surprising loss to Ghana, which ultimately sent them home. The USA’s campaign was disappointing, ending in a loss to Ghana that saw them finish last in their group.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
 Australia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
 Croatia |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
 Japan |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 |
Match Results
- Brazil 1-0 Croatia
- Australia 3-1 Japan
- Brazil 2-0 Australia
- Japan 0-0 Croatia
- Japan 1-4 Brazil
- Croatia 2-2 Australia
Brazil, despite not being at their best, still managed to win all their matches. Australia’s impressive comeback victory against Japan in their first group match was a historic moment for the nation, setting them on a course to the knockout stages.
Group G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switzerland |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
 South Korea |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
 France |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 |
 Togo |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
Match Results
- France 0-0 Switzerland
- South Korea 2-1 Togo
- France 1-1 South Korea
- Togo 0-2 Switzerland
- Togo 0-2 France
- South Korea 0-2 Switzerland
Switzerland impressively topped the group without conceding a single goal. France, with their aging squad, struggled but managed to scrape through to the next round, a far cry from their dominant 1998 campaign.
Group H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 |
 Ukraine |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
 Tunisia |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 |
 Saudi Arabia |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 |
Match Results
- Spain 4-0 Ukraine
- Tunisia 2-2 Saudi Arabia
- Spain 3-1 Tunisia
- Saudi Arabia 0-4 Ukraine
- Saudi Arabia 0-1 Spain
- Ukraine 1-0 Tunisia
Spain’s impressive start to the tournament, with a dominant 4-0 win over Ukraine, positioned them as a serious contender. Ukraine, in their first World Cup, rebounded from the heavy defeat to secure a place in the knockout stage.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Germany 2-0 Sweden
Argentina 2-1 Mexico (after extra time)
Italy 1-0 Australia
Switzerland 0-0 Ukraine (Ukraine wins 3-0 on penalties)
England 1-0 Ecuador
Portugal 1-0 Netherlands
Brazil 3-0 Ghana
Spain 1-3 France
The Round of 16 featured the infamous “Battle of Nuremberg” between Portugal and the Netherlands, a match that set a World Cup record for 16 yellow cards and 4 red cards. Argentina’s win over Mexico was secured by an incredible long-range volley by Maxi Rodríguez, one of the best goals of the tournament. Ukraine’s win on penalties over Switzerland was notable for the Swiss becoming the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated without conceding a single goal.
Quarter-finals
▸
Germany 1-1 Argentina (Germany wins 4-2 on penalties)
Italy 3-0 Ukraine
England 0-0 Portugal (Portugal wins 3-1 on penalties)
Brazil 0-1 France
Germany and Argentina’s clash was an intense battle decided by a penalty shootout. Portugal defeated England in a penalty shootout for the second consecutive major tournament. The match was infamous for the sending off of Wayne Rooney and the subsequent ‘winking’ incident involving Cristiano Ronaldo. France’s masterclass win over Brazil, orchestrated by Zinedine Zidane, was one of the tournament’s best performances.
Semi-finals
▸
Germany 0-2 Italy (after extra time)
Portugal 0-1 France
The semi-finals saw Italy and France advance. Italy’s victory over the host nation was a dramatic, last-gasp affair, with Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero scoring in the final moments of extra time to deny Germany a spot in the final. France’s win over Portugal was secured by a Zinedine Zidane penalty.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: Germany vs. Portugal
Result: Germany 3-1 Portugal
Germany ended their successful home campaign on a high note, with a convincing win over Portugal. The match saw Bastian Schweinsteiger score two fantastic goals, and Oliver Kahn, in his final international match, put in a solid performance.
Final
▸
Match: Italy vs. France
Result: Italy 1-1 France (Italy wins 5-3 on penalties)
The final was a captivating but ultimately controversial affair. It is forever defined by the moment Zinedine Zidane, in his last-ever match, headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest, resulting in a red card. Italy’s victory was sealed in the penalty shootout, with a perfect five penalties from the Italian players, and David Trezeguet’s miss for France. The win marked Italy’s fourth World Cup title and was a triumph for their famously disciplined defense.