'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Fabio Grosso vs Germany, 2006
Fabio Grosso was a relatively lesser known footballer during his playing days in the early 2000s. During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Italy topped their group and followed it up with a 1-0 win against Australia in the round of 16 and a convincing 3-0 victory over surprise quarter-finalists Ukraine.
Trending
Italy’s semifinal opponent would be hosts Germany who had had a terrific tournament until then and were heavy favorites coming in to the semifinals.
The match witnessed Italy squander several chances with Gianluca Zambrotta and Alberto Gilardino both hitting the crossbar. The two teams remained inseparable until the 119th minute.
However, an Andrea Pirlo pass found Grosso who shot a beautifully curled ball past German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to give Italy a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Alessandro Del Piero made it 2-0 and Italy were through to the final. In the final, Grosso had another moment of glory as he scored the winning penalty against France in the penalty shootout to give Italy their fourth World Cup win.
