Italy were crowned World Cup winners for the fourth time as they pipped France 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out after France skipper Zinedine Zidane's career ended with an extra-time sending-off.

Zidane was always going to hang up his boots after this World Cup swansong, and the script was going perfectly when he broke the deadlock on seven minutes with a cheekily-chipped penalty.

Marco Materazzi equalised for the Azzurri with a header from a corner on 19 minutes, though, and after 90 minutes saw no more goals, the game went to extra-time.

The two goalscorers were then involved in the flashpoint which turned the tide in Italy's favour, as Zidane unbelievably headbutted the Inter Milan defender and was given his marching orders on 110 minutes.

Both teams hung on for a penalty shoot-out, and Italy converted all five of their spot-kicks in ice-cool manner, with David Trezeguet's miss proving costly to hand Italy a 5-3 win and their fourth World Cup final win.

In a game expected to be dominated by the two defences, the deadlock was broken after just seven minutes, when Materazzi fouled Florent Malouda in the 18-yard box to give away a penalty.

Zidane put the ball on the spot and cheekily floated a chipped effort which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the goal-line.

The goal saw Zidane become only the fourth player to score in two World Cup finals - but it only served to stir Italy into life, and they were level on 19 minutes.

Andrea Pirlo's set-pieces have been supreme in this tournament and his delivery of a corner was again spot on and allowed Materazzi to rise highest and power a header past Fabien Barthez for the equaliser.

The Inter Milan defender nearly got a mirror-image second eight minutes later but Lilian Thuram blocked his goalbound header before timing a tackle perfectly to keep Luca Toni's shot at bay.

Malouda fired in a shot which was saved easily by Gianluigi Buffon as France tried to hit back - but Italy finished the half stronger and saw Toni power a header from Pirlo's corner rattle the crossbar on 36 minutes.

Raymond Domenech must have told some home truths during the half-time interval as France took the game by the scruff of the neck after the restart and Thierry Henry charged into the box and drew a solid save from Buffon.

Then in a frenetic 10-minute period, Zambrotta appeared to foul Malouda in the penalty box, Patrick Vieira suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced and Henry's snap-shot was well saved by the impressive Buffon.

Italy proved against the Germans that they have staying power, though, and were unlucky to see Luca Toni's headed goal on 61 minutes disallowed for offside before Pirlo whistled a free-kick narrowly wide.

The most exciting thing to happen in the last 15 minutes of normal time was the introduction of Alessandro Del Piero for Mauro Camoranesi - but referee Horacio Marcelo Elizondo blew his whistle after 90 minutes and the teams prepared for another 30 minutes of battle.

France's old guard surprisingly seemed to have more energy in the extra period and Franck Ribery steered a shot inches wide of the upright before Buffon brilliantly tipped a Zidane header over the crossbar.

France captain Zidane's glittering career then ended in shame on 110 minutes when in a moment of madness he headbutted fellow goalscorer Materazzi in the chest and was given his marching orders.

Henry was replaced by Sylvain Wiltord to ensure he would join Zidane in not taking a penalty as the game went to a nerve-jangling shootout in which Italy prevailed to lift the trophy.