Dark Horses: Italy's World Cup Triumph

Fresh from a string of poor pre-tournament performances, Italy kick-started their World Cup out of favour but advanced from the group stage with relative ease, conceding just one goal.

Italy overcomes a tenacious Australia, coached by Guus Hiddink, the manager who eliminated them in the previous World Cup, before receiving some shocking news ahead of the quarter-final.

It is heartbreak for World Cup hosts Germany as Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero score deep into extra-time to secure Italy a spot in the final for the sixth time in Azzurri history.

Italy get their hands on the World Cup as they see off France in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout following Zinedine Zidane's red card for an infamous head-butt on Marco Materazzi.