THERE was no happy ending to the fairytale career of Zinédine Zidane.

In his final appearance in professional football, the most celebrated player of his generation was ushered into retirement in a chaotic manner nobody envisaged. After his shameful dismissal for head-butting Marco Materazzi, the Italy defender, the most famous of Les Bleus will for ever have a vivid streak of red attached to his name.

Winners of the World Cup for the fourth time, Italy’s story is every bit as remarkable. With their domestic game stricken by corruption, Lippi’s players stumbled upon defiance amid adversity. The eight Juventus players spanning both squads may today find themselves relegated to Serie B; the back-drop to glory has been of allegation and investigation.

Outplayed by France for the majority of a fascinating evening that stretched into extra time and beyond, Italy dispatched all five of their penalties. Given they had left three of the last four competitions at a similar stage, including to France in 1998 — who they had not beaten for 28 years — there was redemption of differing sorts to revel in. In their quietest moments, however, they will reflect on Zidane’s role.

His swansong was extraordinary. The 34-year-old, who had already said farewell to Real Madrid, scored France’s seventh-minute goal, chipping from the spot with a nonchalance that bordered on arrogance. At that stage, it appeared that Zidane and his team-mates were bound for glory; even when Marco Materazzi — harshly penalised for a marginal foul on Florent Malouda — equalised for Italy, they struggled for parity.

Yet, for once, controversy was an Italian ally. In the 109th minute, during the second period of extra time, there was an eruption. After an exchange with Materazzi, Zidane turned on the Italian centre half and charged at him with his forehead. A fourth red card in a World Cup final was inevitable although Raymond Domenech, the France head coach, accused Materazzi of provocation.

“The referee was on the other side of the pitch and Materazzi organised the sending-off,” Domenech said. “(Andrea) Pirlo was not the real man of the match. It should have been Materazzi because he made a drama out of everything. It is a sad way for a great player to finish his career. All the players are very upset. Materazzi probably said something to him.”

Marcello Lippi responded fiercely. “I’m disappointed with Domenech,” he said. “It was not the Italian players demanding it, but something from the fourth official, who saw the replay on the big screen,” he said. “He informed the linesman, not us. Domenech was suggesting that Materazzi exaggerated his injury, but from what I saw, Zidane attacked Materazzi quite hard.”

Horacio Elizondo, the Argentine referee, did not witness the incident and Zidane’s dismissal was only confirmed after discussions with his assistant who, in turn, had spoken to Luis Medina Cantale, the fourth official. If Cantale based his decision on video evidence, which football has not embraced, it was erroneous.

Little could cloud Italian celebrations, which included the ritual scalping of Mauro Camoranesi’s ponytail. “This is the best day of my life,” Lippi said. “I have won many things in my time — Italian titles, the Champions League and even the World Club Championship with Juve — but nothing compares to this. I can’t describe how happy I am. I thank my players for their bravery, their heart and their incredible determination.”

This was the second final to be decided by penalties. The only other, in 1994, Italy lost. Many circles were squared in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, but Zidane could find no pleasure in it. “This goodbye is very sad,” Lippi said. “I’m a big fan of his and I hope he thinks again about his decision to go.”