By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 10, 2006; E01

BERLIN, July 9 -- The dream ending to Zinedine Zidane's career was before him in extra time of the World Cup final. The French were pushing for a go-ahead goal in the 104th minute Sunday, when Zidane leaped from 12 yards out and slammed his head into the ball. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon somehow flung his right hand in the ball's path, however, and from that point, the final night of Zidane's era of greatness went from disappointment to ignominy.

In the 110th minute, early in the second overtime session of a 1-1 tie at a sold-out Olympic Stadium, Zidane was ejected for smashing his head into the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi, and he headed immediately to the locker room. He was not on the field to watch the French lose this agonizing match, 5-3 on penalty kicks, and he did not take part in the postgame ceremonies, either, when his teammates received their second-place medals and Italy celebrated its fourth world title, second only to Brazil.

It is the darkest blemish on an otherwise glistening 17 years of professional play, marring an evening in which Zidane gave France an early lead on a penalty kick and seemed poise to leave this game in the most favorable fashion possible: leading his country to a second title.

"It is sad having a great player leaving the pitch that way, being sent off," French Coach Raymond Domenech said through an interpreter. "He played a great World Cup. He was present for us all the time."

Long ago, Zidane, 34, decided this tournament would be mark the end of his career, and after a slow start, he made himself the chief story line with his reborn play entering the final match. He was dazzling in the second round against Spain and was a dominant figure in France's 1-0 upset of reigning champion Brazil in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Zidane converted a penalty kick for the only goal in a defeat of Portugal, and in the seventh minute Sunday he put his team ahead, becoming the fourth player to score in two World Cup finals.

He would be the hero; Paris would erupt as it did in 1998 when Zidane led the nation to glory. And his stellar r?sum? -- 108 games and 31 goals for France, dazzling performances in victories at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year -- would include one more highlight. But it was not meant to be.

"The only thing I can say to Zinedine is, 'Thank you,' " French striker Thierry Henry said. "If we win this game, we're all saying what a fantastic penalty he took for us. He was a great player and a great man. We will miss him."

Zidane's encounter with Materazzi, who tied the score off a corner kick in the 19th minute, seemed innocuous at first. But after they tangled, words were exchanged, and the Frenchman snapped, sending the defender crumbling to the ground, where he stayed for several minutes. Domenech sprinted to the sideline and pretended to be reeling an old movie camera -- a French gesture for playacting -- and Italy Coach Marcello Lippi ripped into Domenech. Their opinions on the severity of Zidane's infraction differed, as one might expect.

"As I said on the pitch, [Materazzi] really put on a great show when he fell down," Domenech said.

Lippi insisted: "He was not pretending. He was not acting. He really did take a big blow from Zidane."

Several players said they were unaware of what, if anything, Materazzi may have said or done to provoke Zidane, who is of Algerian descent. Henry, who leads a global anti-racism campaign, said, "I don't know," if offensive remarks were made.

Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo said through an interpreter: "Maybe he was tired, I don't know. But these are gestures that should not be made. He's still a great champion; unfortunately, he did something wrong."

Referee Horacio Elizondo did not see the incident himself, but additional off-field officials saw replays and alerted him, prompting the delayed red card. Lippi was adamant the Italian bench did not call over the referee.

"None of us did anything," Lippi said, while Domenech countered: "The referee was not on our side."

Losing Zidane, who has not spoken to reporters since before the first match, sapped France's momentum and robbed it of its greatest penalty shooter. With Italy perfect in the shootout, Zidane left the sport second-best Sunday, though his accomplishments are rivaled by few.

"I am sorry for him, because I hold him in great esteem," Lippi said. "You all know that, and Zidane knows that, too. I think he's a great player and I'm really sorry to see him go and I hope he doesn't go. I told him that before the game. I think he should think it over again, and if he does go, I think it's a shame that he goes on this note."