Sides deadlocked in World Cup final at break

Italy 1 France 1

Italy and France were deadlocked at 1-1 at half-time of a pulsating World Cup final in Berlin with the Azzurri having the better of the opening period.

Zinedine Zidane, playing his last match before retirement, gave France a seventh-minute lead from the penalty spot, although his attempt to deceive Gianluigi Buffon almost embarrassed him as his shot hit the crossbar and bounced down just over the line.

But Materazzi, who conceded the penalty, atoned for his nervy start by heading Andrea Pirlo’s corner in for the equaliser.