Italy and France go to penalty shootout in final

BERLIN, July 9 (Reuters) The World Cup final went into a penalty shootout today with Italy and France level at 1-1 after extra time and French playmaker Zinedine Zidane sent off in the closing minutes.

Zidane had given France the lead from the penalty spot as early as the seventh minute after Florent Malouda was brought down by Marco Materazzi.

Materazzi made amends by equalising for Italy in the 19th minute, climbing high to head home an Andrea Pirlo corner.

Zidane was shown the red card in the 111th minute after he head-butted Materazzi in the chest in an off-the-ball incident not seen by the referee.

But after fierce protests by the Italians, the referee consulted his linesman and sent Zidane off.

France created more chances and Zidane came closest to scoring the winner in the 104th minute but his header from a Willy Sagnol cross was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

It is only the second shootout at a World Cup final. Brazil beat Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 1994.

REUTERS PDS RAI0158