Portugal is known as a perpetual underachiever on the world football stage. They only made it to one of the first ten World Cups they attempted to qualify for, and that was only because they had Eusebio, who was arguably the greatest player ever. Lately they have been better, but they still cannot shake their reputation as chokers in big tourneys. 

It’s a fair rep though because Portugal has not had a very successful run in big tournaments. They have qualified for the World Cup only four times and have won the European Championship only once (1984). But, Portugal has been rising, finishing second at the 2004 European Championship and reaching the semifinal at the 2006 World Cup.

One of the big reasons for their upturn is their star, Cristiano Ronaldo (Man U), one of the best two players in the world (with the other being Lionel Messi). In addition to Ronaldo, they also feature Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Jose Boswinga and Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Pepe (Real Madrid), Nani (Man U), and Tiago (Juventus).

With a squad like that, it’s amazing they can’t win more tournaments. Their talent is why I have them at #8, but their history of poor results (including Euro 2008) is why FIFA has Portugal currently ranked at #11. I think they will bounce back in 2010 and compete for the title. If they don’t, Portugal and Ronaldo will be mocked yet again.

The 2006 World Cup Final between Italy and France, in my opinion, was perhaps the finest football match ever played. It had it all. Thrilling goals. Gritty defense. Controversy. In the end, Italy claimed their fourth title in dramatic fashion on penalties. All in all, I think it was indisputably the greatest game in World Cup history.

Held in Germany, the 2006 World Cup featured 32 of the world’s greatest teams. How do we know they were the greatest? Because they were the only ones who could achieve qualification out of the 198 national teams (a record) that set out to play in the Summer of 2006. The 2006 World Cup symbolizes the fact soccer is the world’s game.

Italy dominated during the opening round, beating Ghana and the Czech Republic and drawing with the USA. They conceded only one goal, and it was an own goal at that. France did not fare as well. They tied their first two games (Switzerland and South Korea) before beating Togo 2-0 to finish second in their group. Les Bleus looked blue.

In the Round of 16, France bounced back by surprisingly dominating Spain 3-1. Meanwhile, Italy seemingly backtracked by barely besting Australia 1-0. In the quarters, Italy throttled the Ukraine 3-0 while France upset Brazil 1-0 on an Henry goal. In the semis, Italy beat host Germany 2-0 in extra time and France narrowly beat Portugal 1-0.

The Final would be soccer at its finest. Zidane’s penalty strike (which barely crossed the line) in the 7th minute would prove to be the only goal Italy would concede to an opponent during the whole tournament. Materazzi would answer for Italy in the 20th minute. No one could know yet how these two men’s fates would later be intertwined forever.

After time expired with the teams tied 1-1, extra time began and controversy would soon follow. Buffon made perhaps the save of the century by tipping a Zidane header over the bar. Minutes later, Zidane headbutted Materazzi and was sent off, which seemed to unhinge the French side. Without Zizou, they looked as if they had already lost.

The penalty shootout featured some of the tensest moments in world sporting history. Along with 69,000 fans in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, over 715 million people watched live on television as the Italian’s calmly slotted in all five of their opportunities. Fabio Grosso put home the winner and in the process became an Italian national hero.

Zidane would still win the Golden Ball for his play, but his reputation was eternally tarnished by his overreaction to Materazzi’s provocation. Buffon probably deserved the award anyways, seeing as how the only two goals he allowed the entire tournament were an own goal and a penalty. But as the French say, c’est la vie.

Sure, I know many of you are probably saying I am only picking the 2006 Final because it is the freshest one in my memory, but despite its recency, I still don’t think you can deny it was perhaps the most dramatic World Cup Final ever. That’s why it’s #1 on my list.

If you have arguments otherwise, let me hear about it in the comments. Until then, please keep coming back to PLTO for the best news, analysis and commentary on the world’s most beautiful game.