It happened in a flash, just like a snap. The final of World Cup 2006 was in 109th minute with France and Italy 1-1 and the game was setting up for penalty shoot-out, when french captain Zinedine Zidane was grabbed by Materazzi. He did, or said, something to Zidane and as soon as Zidane broke free, he turned and rammed his head into Materazzi’s chest; it was really firm and nasty, sending the Azzurri crashing to the turf.

It was also completely off the ball and at first it seemed he’d got away with it, but after talking to his assistant - and possibly after an intervention from the fourth official - the referee was alerted to what happened, and sent Zidane off.

“Zidane being sent off changed everything,” France coach Raymond Domenech said. “Even in extra time the Italian team was waiting for only one thing, and that was penalties.”

Domenech said he did not know what Materazzi said to Zidane. “It’s regrettable,” Domenech said. “We regret it, he regrets it.”

What on earth did Materazzi said or did to provoke that? the Guardian has an explanation.

The blogosphere got hyped by this and responses poped up, like here, here and here.

Zidane, whose sparkling play carried France much deeper into this tournament than anyone expected, previously said he would quit soccer when the World Cup concluded.

Head bowed, he walked past Domenech on his way out but did not look at him. As he exited into the tunnel, his head still bent to the ground, he strode past the golden World Cup trophy and disappeared. Thus ends career of a maestro.