2006

Host nation: Germany Games: 64 Goals: 147 (2.3 per match) Dismissals: 27 Venues: 12 Winners: Italy Top scorer: Miroslav Klose (5 goals)

Match-fixing, robots and WAGS – it was difficult to work out which was more unedifying. The Calciopoli scandal, Peter Crouch dancing or an entourage of impressively orange pop stars, lingerie models and fitness instructors descending on Bavarian spa town Baden-baden with masseurs and tan therapists (yes, really) in tow. There was even some football, though not much when Switzerland faced Ukraine in the last 16. The Swiss even missed all their penalties in the shootout. “This is bloody awful,” huffed pundit Mick Mccarthy. Togo, meanwhile, nearly refused to play amid a bonuses row. The beautiful game, huh?

STAR FACTOR

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (below, right) under 22, England’s golden generation, Ronaldinho and Kaka at their peak, Raul, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andriy Shevchenko, Juan Riquelme, Luis Figo, Michael Ballack, Fabio Cannavaro (top), Didier Drogba and Zinedine Zidane’s last hurrah. Plus unlikely Trinidadian Chris Birchall.

WONDER GOALS

Opening-day howitzers from Germany’s Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings against Costa Rica set the tone. Esteban Cambiasso finished off a 25-pass move in Argentina’s 6-0 humbling of Serbia, and Maxi Rodriguez chested and volleyed against Mexico for the Albiceleste.

AGGRO

Worse things have happened in Nuremburg, but the last 16 battle between Portugal and the Netherlands featured a record four red, and 16 yellow, cards and an unpunished Luis Figo headbutt. “Jesus Christ may be able to turn the other cheek,” winked Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari, “but Luis Figo isn’t Jesus Christ.” Fair point. There was also a headbutt in the final. You may have heard about it.

THE THRILLERS

Zidane led a come-from-behind 3-1 win against Spain, while Italy’s late extra-time double from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero (below, left) dumped hosts Germany out in the semi-finals.

THE FINAL

Zizou’s Panenka penalty was as glorious as the image of him heading for the tunnel (left), after introducing his head to Marco Materazzi’s chest. Italy overcoming Calciopoli made for just as good an ending, also giving Francesco Totti a major international honour.

LEGACY

It was the first HD tournament, but Kasabian’s awful cover of David Bowie’s Heroes to introduce ITV’S coverage didn’t take advantage. The broadcaster did, however, foresee sooth-saying animals with its bantabulous World Cuppa show. It featured a ‘win-lose-or-draw dog’ in which a pooch would pick from three bowls of food to predict the results of upcoming games. Woof.