Italy v France: Man-for-man marking

How the players fared.

ITALY

GIANLUIGI BUFFON

Beaten twice all tournament by an own goal and now a penalty off the bar. Safe handling. 6/10

GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA

Left-footed right-back rather predictable in coming inside and given hard time by Malouda. 5

FABIO CANNAVARO

Is a strong candidate to win the Golden Ball today. He thwarted Thierry Henry's hopes of Golden Boot with another strong display. 7

MARCO MATERAZZI

The former Evertonian deputising for Alessandro Nesta was unlucky with the penalty and made his own change of luck. A revelation. 7

FABIO GROSSO

Scorer of a famous goal in the semi-final, and now an even more famous one from penalty spot to win the World Cup. 6

MAURO CAMORANESI

Briefly switched to left after Lippi made changes on the hour and no more successful there than on the right. 3

ANDREA PIRLO

Milan playmaker was always available for back four. A few wayward passes but telling corners and a dangerous free-kick. 8

GENNARO GATTUSO

A candidate with Cannavaro as outstanding player in the competition, superb again alongside his club-mate Pirlo. 8

SIMONE PERROTTA

The boy from Ashton under Lyne done good, though not this time. Replaced after an hour. 3

FRANCESCO TOTTI

Roman hero anonymous in important role behind Toni. Pulled off after an hour. 3

LUCA TONI

Can lack finesse, but denied in the air only by crossbar and later by correct if narrow offside decision. 7

SUBSTITUTES

VINCENZO IAQUINTA (For Perrotta, 61)

Played down the right and left with little success. 4

DANIELE DE ROSSI (For Totti, 61)

Unwelcome return from suspension for journeyman who battered Brian McBride. 3

ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO (For Camoranesi, 86)

Playing just behind strikers, found it hard to get into the game. 4

FRANCE

FABIEN BARTHEZ

Regarded as possible weak link, could do little about goal. Relieved not to have more saves to make. 5/10

WILLY SAGNOL

Early booking put the Bayern Munich right-back under all sorts of pressure but he drew on all of his experience in the shoot-out. 5

WILLIAM GALLAS

Managed to make sure he was not left isolated with Toni, covering Thuram well throughout. 7

LILIAN THURAM

Like Juventus team-mates had to put club concerns aside and did so in good battle with powerful Toni. 6

ERIC ABIDAL

Better than in semi-final, when he had a poor game. Neither Camoranesi nor Iaquinta had much joy against him. 6

FRANCK RIBERY

Baby of the team - and final - at 23 showed some lovely touches and began to move more confidently away from position on right of midfield. 7

PATRICK VIEIRA

Outjumped by Marco Materazzi for the equalising goal and substituted with hamstring injury before making amends. 4

CLAUDE MAKELELE

Chelsea anchorman had to assume greater responsibility after Vieira's departure and did so as expected. 7

FLORENT MALOUDA

Went down in the box for the penalty but much more effective wide on the left than in some previous games. 6

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Sad but shocking finish to career. Deserved red card 5

THIERRY HENRY

Left groggy in first minute by Cannavaro's body-check, recovered to make some superb runs in second half. 7

SUBSTITUTES

ALOU DIARRA (For Vieira, 56)

Highly regarded Lens midfielder was booked and made little impact. 4

DAVID TREZEGUET (For Ribéry, 100)

Given chance at last for last 20 minutes. Wild penalty. 3.

SILVAIN WILTORD (For Henry, 106)

Sent on to help Trezeguet. No mark.