For the second time in history, the World Cup Final was decided by penalty kicks. But unlike the 1994 final, this time Italy won. Though they played for 120 minutes, this game was decided in the exhilarating opening moments. Within the first nineteen minutes we saw Zinedine Zidane convert a tricky penalty kick and Marco Materazzi respond with a goal of his own. Wow!

Zidane’s goal was a work of art: soft, high, and nudged into the goal with the help of the crossbar. By getting the ball past Italian goalie Gianluigi Buffon, he accomplished what no other team in this competition was able to do. Materazzi’s equalizing header was no less spectacular, as he rose above the French defense to send the ball past acrobatic French keeper Fabien Barthez.

In the end, this match was to be decided by the dreaded penalty kick process, where David Trezeguet’s missed shot turned out to be the difference.

To recap the 2006 World Cup, I’ve compiled a highly unofficial best-of list for readers to debate.

Most surprising team: By making it to the quarterfinals in their first World Cup as an independent nation, Ukraine became the surprise team of the tournament. Runner-up: Portugal, which made it to the semifinals for the first time in 40 years.

Most entertaining match: With so many dramatic endings, it is difficult to select the match that people will be talking about for years to come. My personal favorite is Argentina’s seesaw battle with Mexico. This game produced intense end-to-end action, culminating in a dramatic finish (see “Most impressive goal”). Runner-up: The first-round match between Italy and USA, which was just as dramatic, but with less at stake.

Most disappointing: The referees almost ruined this World Cup with their overzealous distribution of yellow and red cards. Fortunately for them, the quality of soccer was very high. Runner-up: Brazil, the star-studded team that failed to impress or progress.

Most valuable player: Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon only allowed two goals in seven games: an own-goal and a penalty kick. And then he overcame the French in the penalty kick shootout to decide the final match. If that’s not enough to merit MVP status, I don’t know what is. Runner-up: Zinedine Zidane, despite the childish headbutt that led to his ouster in the final match. At 34 years of age, Zidane was the motor that nearly enabled the French to take the title.

Most impressive goal: Maxi Rodriguez’s chested-down-half-volleyed strike against Mexico is certain to make FIFA’s future highlight reels of World Cup goals. Runner-up: Take your pick from the Argentina-Serbia Montenegro match. All six goals were classic.

Most dramatic finish: Without a doubt, Italy’s two last-minute overtime goals that eliminated Germany in the semifinals. The pain of losing after playing for two hours without a goal must have been excruciating for German fans. Runner-up: The first-round match between England and Sweden.

The 2006 World Cup was outstanding, replete with exciting football and high drama. The worst part about the competition is that it is over and now we have to wait four long years for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.