Italy Is on Top of the World

BERLIN, July 9 -- After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment on Sunday night in Olympic Stadium: Italy's Fabio Grosso facing French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, 11 meters of grass separating the ball and the goal, and the simplest of outcomes resting on a shot.

If Grosso could score, Italy would win the World Cup.

Both players had performed under pressure in the past. Barthez had became a national icon after helping France win the 1998 World Cup. Grosso, meantime, seemed to be heading for similar status at home if he could make this kick and play the decisive role in an Italian victory for a third time in this tournament.

Grosso connected with his left foot and sent the ball flying to the upper right corner of the goal. Barthez -- with only a split-second to commit -- guessed the ball would go the other way. The ball rocketed into the back of the net, Barthez watched over his shoulder as he fell to the turf, and a crowd of 69,000 let loose a roar. Vittoria!  Italy won on penalty kicks, 5-3, after a 1-1 game.