Today, July 9, 2006, is a particularly crazy day in the world. Tonight, France faces Italy in the "World Cup Final." It is hard to predict who will win. From the perspective of global and French media, the blue team seems favored. However, do not forget that Italy is a strong camp that has won the World Cup three times; they should never be underestimated.
In recent days, all major French media have comprehensively reported on how brave and capable the blue team is. The winning index against Italy seems to indicate victory is within reach, with only tonight's match remaining. The French spirit stands high as the backing for the blue team, driving everyone from top to bottom into madness. Street advertisements by the Paris city hall display "Go Blue Team," and the rare tricolor flag—red, white, and blue—is visible everywhere. This is not to welcome the July 14 National Day, but to ignite the battle for tonight's final. Every corner of the metropolis is burning hot. Groups of young people wave flags and cheer, wearing blue jerseys or dressing up as heroic Gauls, ready to participate in this extraordinary event. Everywhere, people discuss the same topic. Balconies display or fly French flags (which is rare). After dusk, the Champs-Élysées is blocked off, and tens of thousands of police are deployed to maintain order in Paris, preparing to welcome the sound of triumphant horns.
At dusk, food stores and pizza shops were lined up long queues, while bustling metropolitan streets appeared quite sparse, suddenly becoming an empty city. Almost everyone held their breath waiting in front of small TV screens. Many young people gathered in front of large screens at major sports venues in Paris. The decisive match of the World Football Alliance ignited at 8 o'clock sharp. The French blue team faced the Italian team with confidence. However, the "blue team" tonight was not the French team (Italy wears blue, while France wears white). The French shouted "Go Blue Team," seemingly cheering for the wrong side.
After the stirring Marseillaise, under the heroic leadership of France's soul captain Zidane, the brave and capable French team drove straight toward the Italian goal with intense attacks within just a few minutes. An error by the panicked Italian defenders forced a penalty kick. With a powerful kick, Zidane scored spectacularly, causing instant jubilation and cheers. France's colorful blue dream was right before our eyes. Then, the agile Henry charged bravely toward the goal, colliding with Italian defenders and nearly fainting, being carried out for medical aid. The French team continued its fierce attack but could not break through the Italian defense. Instead, the Italian team woke up and used long-range kicking strategies to drive toward the French goal. Nineteen minutes later, amidst danger, they earned a corner kick. Marco Materazzi headed it in with accurate technique, shattering the French blue dream with a 1-1 tie.
In the second half, the French team clearly had the advantage. Italy could only use all its strength to strengthen its defense. Under the iron goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and the wall-like defense of Italy, the French team ultimately failed to score. In the tied match during extra time, both teams displayed various skills, fighting bravely again and again. Until the second extra time, dramatically, for some unknown reason, Zidane head-butted Materazzi, who had equalized the score in this battle. Zidane received a red card and was expelled (becoming a mystery of the World Cup? Why did Zidane butt Materazzi?). Following this, star player Henry was substituted due to exhaustion. Then, the soul figure of the team, the captain, was also expelled. The prospects for the rest of the game became dim, causing sheer panic among French audiences. Finally, arriving at the crucial moment of penalty kicks, the brave forwards were no longer on the field. The French team could only rely on luck or show their strength, facing Italy's iron defense once more. In these tense moments, French audiences almost bit their teeth, holding their breath and focusing intently on the screens. When one ball went in, cheers erupted. Finally, David Trezequet, unfortunately, hit the post and missed the goal (do not forget that in the 2000 European Cup, it was David Trezequet's goal that won France the championship; now, the key was also him). The tension reached its peak. Finally, after Fabio Grosso scored for Italy, France shed tears, shattering the French blue dream. The metropolis fell into a gloomy silence. The suffocating streets and the lightless Champs-Élysées made tonight seem like the most suffocating and quiet night since the summer vacation began, allowing people to fall asleep. "Goodnight - Zidane." For a while, we have been having one "blue dream" or "French dream" after another. It also tells the world that dreams are the most "beautiful," and as long as you live, there is "hope." Embracing Paris as you enter your dreams, you can imagine how gentle and beautiful it is.
