Italy and France drawing 1-1 at halftime

BERLIN, July 9 (Reuters) Italy fought back from a goal down against France in the World Cup final to reach the interval level at 1-1 in the game at the Olympiastadion today.

French captain Zinedine Zidane put France ahead with a penalty after seven minutes, the midfielder striking the ball against the bar and into the goal beyond Gianluigi Buffon after Florent Malouda was tripped by Marco Materazzi.

The ball bounced down behind the line before flying back out into the penalty area but Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo had no hesitation in awarding a goal.

Italy equalised after 19 minutes when Materazzi atoned for his earlier misdemeanour by rising above Patrick Vieira to head powerfully past Fabien Barthez from an Andrea Pirlo corner.

The tone for a rugged first half littered with stoppages and a few cynical fouls was set after 52 seconds when Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, on his 100th international appearance, body-checked Thierry Henry.

Henry appeared dazed but rejoined the game after treatment and the tackles then began to fly in. Two players were cautioned for fouls before Italy went close to taking the lead when a Luca Toni header from another Pirlo corner hit the bar.

REUTERS PDS RAI0022