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We (Italy) deserved the trophy. Our football progressed throughout the tournament, we showed the world that we can play great football and unlike England, when we stepped up to a big team (Germany) we showed our true abilities. In the final we did not play as well as we did in the semi-finals, but we did play incredibly well. We dominated most of the first half and with players like Fabio Cannavaro our defence was almost impenetrable. The penalty given to France was a poor decision and as for the red card it was definitely the correct decision. There are always some dirty comments flying around the pitch in major football games and regardless of how harsh some comments may be they are professional football players and should behave in a professional manner. I can't comprehend how people are saying we cheated throughout most of the World Cup. With the exception of Francesco Totti we did not illustrate any unprofessionalism in terms of diving. Our achievement was well earned.
Roberto, Scunthorpe

The World Cup has been okay, none of the best teams showed what they can do, hence Italy winning the tournament. I think the final was the best game, Zidane is amazing and the world of football will not be as good without him, a true legend. He still deserved the best player award even with the flying headbutt, because no one else came close, even if he didn't start really playing until the quarters.
Stephen Ford, Folkestone

Organisation 10/10. Quality of football overall 8/10. Quality of refereeing overall 7/10. Fifa promised us a clampdown on simulation and what we got was a clampdown on any kind of contact until the semi-finals when the referees seemed to have been instructed to let games flow. Punish the divers and those who confront referees in an attempt to influence them and we may be able to look forward to a more enjoyable 2010.
Dave, Birchanger

Great tournament, apart from the now traditional diving and cheating from the usual nations. Cristiano Ronaldo is a disgrace and England showed exactly how bad they really are. Hats off to Italy they are deserving winners.
Paul, Dublin

The Eorld Cup did not have any of the world's best players playing to their full potential but had one player that shone above all of the skilful players and that was Gattuso. What a World Cup he had and is a worthy winner along with Cannavro.
Jamie Young, Lichfield

I have to say the World Cup came down to which manager used the best tactics. Lippi didn't have Zidane, Ronaldinho or Rooney but knew his squad's strengths which was shown with Italy's displays. Well done to the Italians for breaking their penalty shoot out jinx, hopefully england can learn from this. And Zidane, you let yourself and your country down, shame on you.
Anil Verma, Warwick

I think it's been an 'okay' World Cup. Nothing spectacular but not poor like 2002. As for people's obsession with 'fair play' I play Sunday league level and people pinch you and dive around. Human beings cheat and you can't stop it. Cheating is not a foreign idea because England players do it too, cheating is a human trait that is only being displayed more in football because Fifa directives are making it easier to cheat.
Bradley Kirrage, Dartford

I would like to praise Germany for the way that the games were sorted out and the way they conducted themselves when their campaign was derailed. I did not think that the main content or the standard of football was of much better quality than 2nd division football. I believe that the world map should be divided into 6 zones. Each zone will have theie play offs and the winner of the zone will go forward into the final along with past winner and host Nation. This will give you 8 teams in the final stages. There may be an argument that the zones will take too long to play. The remedy would be to have the World cup played once every 8 years. Problem solved.
David Goodfellow, South Ockendon

There's now become two types of footballers - those with a win at any cost attitude and others that will defend their personal dignity more than a silly game of football. For Zidane to react in that manner Materazzi must have gone too far.
Jonathan, Leeds

The referees were a joke. Eriksson was a joke. The quality of football was a joke in most cases. As for the cheats from Portugal and Italy I better not say what I really think! Well done Australia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Switzerland who even went home without conceding a goal. Glad it's all over and bring on The Premiership. Chelsea to take 3 in row. Come on you Blues!
Mark Coden, Preston Road Wembley

All in all,it was a good World Cup 4 me for the fact that i love football full stop. Roll on South Africa.
gary killalee, dublin

The tournament has been tainted indellibly by the gamesmanship and blatant cheating left unpunished by referees. The culmination of a month of mostly disappointing football has left us with the brutal image of a player being felled by a head butting football genius rather than the exhilaration of a closely fought and dramatic final. I would advocate that Fifa should adopt retrospective video judgement on simulation and gamesmanship; duplicate the rugby code of behaviour in that only the captain of each side is permitted to talk to the referee and possibly employ a fifth official to alert the refs to any mistakes he may have made; eg Goals where the ball crossed the line but the ref didn't give. On the whole the cheats came out on top in this World Cup and that has to be prevented from happening again.
Jack Pinder, London

Materazzi must have deliberately provoked Zidane to upset his rhythm and to regain control of the game at a time when Italy was reeling under pressure.
Joseph, Bahrain

Such a well hosted World Cup. Well done Germany. Sadly ruined by a bunch of over paid cheats. It seemed to me Zidane was one of the only honourable players on the field today, what he did was in anger at something all of us would have reacted in a similar manner to. But on this world stage what a let down in the end. If you look at the cheating list you will find Italy are up at the top followed by Portugal. Let's not even mention the refs. prediciton for the next world cup It will be a dissaster, South Africa wont be able to cope at all... but put yer money one Germany
Pete. , California

...And so the post Zidane era begins.....How will France cope? And will they be able to make any kind of impact in 2 years in Euro 2008???
Raj, London

England were appaling yet again, a big let down. The event as a whole was well organised displaying fantastic support from the German population, but the football lacked that cutting edge, bar some stand out performances from Zidane. Portugal and Holland in particular were a disgrace to themselves, cheats. Italy deserved to win in the end, with consistent defending and a desire to play football.
Gareth, London

The victory belonged to Italy. Victory belongs to the people who love Italian football!
Yang Dong, Nanning China

It seems to be an unpopular view that top-rank footballers are grossly overpaid and overvalued, but I stick to that opinion on the basis of the skills shown in this World Cup. "Professionalism" also extends to behaviour, but this aspect was found wanting too. You need to be professional to walk away from provocation, but the likes of Rooney and Zidane have badly failed this test and let down their team-mates and their countries.
Dave Douglas, Saitama Japan

France played the best, but the move made by Zidane in extra time cost. Best of luck to France next time and well done to Italy.
Munim, Pakistan

It is sadly ironic and yet should have been totally predictable that the new holders of the World Cup stem from the most corrupt footballing nation. A complete dearth of flair, imagination, team play or individual brilliance replaced instead with gamesmanship and monotonous games dragged through extra time by un-ambitious and overly cautious coaches. Of Engalnd; in our bid to create a scapegoat for our own short-comings it now looks like The Premiership will be deprived of arguably the most exciting and skilful player to watch!
Henry Boddington, Trondheim

This was a tournament with so much expectation and in the end it turned out to be one of the worst World Cups ever. No entertaining football was produced in 4 weeks where the defences always came out on top. The World Cup is a victim of its own greatness. There is so much at stake, it is such a major tournament that no one is willing to take any risks. We end up having to watch potential great teams playing for a dull result. I have heard Fifa will be meeting to look into ways of making the game more attractive again. I personally think there is no need to make the goals bigger or to change the offside laws. As long as the competition is held every 4 years, the pressure will remain the same and top coaches and players will have a " this is my only chance " feeling that prevents stars from reaching their potential. It is time to re-think the format. Maybe if the teams do not have to play so many qualifying games ( Brazil and Argentina played 18!! ) we could have a cup every 2 years
Paulo Nunes, Croydon

This year's World Cup has been one of disappointments and surprises. This is how our passionate game is all about. I do think that the real winner is the Germans for the fantastic manner they organised the tournament and the commitment of their players on the field of play.
Emmanuel Owusu-Afriyie, Kumasi - Ghana

Finally the Italians overcame their jinx on penalty kicks - Five out five. A finale full of actions & dramas. Both were Champions but there could only be one Winner - ITALIA. Well done!
Sherry Raf, Singapore

Hats off to the Germans, it was a great World Cup. It's hard to say from a Scotsman's point of view, Michael Owen was not far off the mark when quoted that player for player, "England probably had the strongest team at the World Cup". However, as a result of the unbearable pressure from the nation and the media, players such as Lampard and Gerrard failed to deliver their true potential. It wasn't just England that was affected, Brazil also suffered. Best squad since 1970?? The most memorable thing about the team this world cup was Ronaldino's "R" hairband. Summing it up though, Italy were deserved winners. Although Zidane truly excelled through the tournament, he symbolised a nation let down at the final stand in his antics last night, letting Cannavaro take centre stage as the captain, and best player of the World Cup.
Ryan Hughes, Glasgow

World Champions!!! Is such an amazing feeling. I'm very happy that my country won and i think we deserved to win, but Materazzi didn't act well and i'm extremely disappointed in Zidane's behaviour: how can a superb football player like him do something so stupid???????'
Manuela, Rimini - Italy

Zidane did the right thing... As a minority, no World Cup medal is worth more than human dignity. The Italian must have said something really bad. We do not know yet, but it is not like Zidane to lose his cool.. So i agree with the headbutt. if the ref refuses to protect players, then we'll protect ourselves. WELL DONE ZIDANE.
John, London

There are many talking points about this World Cup and I think credit should go to the Italian players because an incident like what happened with Zidane could easily have ended in a mass brawl. Well done Italy!
Deon Sylvester, Brussels

The Germans put on an amazing show and it was very well organised but from a footballing and refereeing point it was very poor and a big dissapointment. Fifa need to sort out their officals and clamp down harder on cheating players.
Dominic Bowen, Coventry

Getting a player sent off is unsportsmanlike, how can these players wear a fair play badge and live upto it. Fifa should look at footage or the rooney sending off, and take action agaist Ronaldo for mouthing off at every opportunity, and fine him and ban him for internationals and European games for 2 years. This would affect his pocket and club interest in these players, they would then think twice about diving, and to put a ref from Argentina in charge of England-Portugal is stupidity in itself and beggers belief.
Doug Reynolds, London

It seemed to be a well organised event with some excellent performances. I still think that Fifa are wrong in not following up on blatant cheating after the games using video evidence. Why should the referees get all the blame for not seeing the incident in real time. All these problems are easy to get rid of, including winning the World Cup on penalties... the final should should be decided with a goal...not a lottery.
Jason , Tallinn, Estonia

Lacklustre tournament, too few goals, too much acting and brandishing of imaginary cards by players, let's get back to honest fair play.
Brendan Gascoigne, Sheffield

My enduring memory of the World Cup is diving indivduals cheating to gain an advantage where their team could not find one.
James , Bournemouth

An average World Cup overall football wise with the so called superstars all under performing but the event was staged superbly by the Germans.
Chris Tuffrey, Doncaster

The Italians played to their strengths showing the world the art of defending in style, they never panicked and were always looking to pass the ball out rather than just booting it up field, they obviously enjoy defending but had no real threat in the final third. They played a great World Cup and deserve to be champions. Cannavaro is the best defender in the world.
Tony Reina, Northampton

Many wonderful contests throughout marred by too many yellows and too many dives....far too much shirt pulling being allowed in the box at set pieces....and shocking and disgraceful conduct from headbutts by Figo and Zidane........what great examples they are to the young lads who hero worship such men.....men did I say?
Ralph, Los Angeles

Italy play a very solid game at the back and when needed burst into attack, they deserve the Cup. Sorry for France, all players played well, Zidane must keep cool.
Kishan K, Mauritius

Glad to see that thuggish behaviour on the field was dealt with strictly by sending-offs. Some referees are hopefully also being held responsible for totally inaccurate actions! Well done Germany for organising such a positive and truly welcoming World Cup!
Anette Schaefer, the Netherlands

Diving and sendings off ruined it for me. No big name players performed and some refs were rubbish but did spill a bit of comedy to the game (GRAHAM POLL).
Brian Townsend, Blackpool

An absolute FEAST.......bar some of the goalless draws the World Cup has been absolute magic. Watching some of the best players in the world showcasing that amazing mix of skill, drama and passion....just makes those late nights spent staring at the television worthwhile....Bring on South Africa 2010... SCOTLAND for the World Cup!!!!!
Q Mulla, karachi

one of my best players of the tournament up to the final was Zinedine Zidane - but what a let down he became - in my eyes he went from hero to villain in seconds - he has not only let himself down but the rest of the team and the fans - he should be ashamed of himself and i was glad to see he was not allowed out to collect his runners up medal.
Michael Wardrop, Milton Keynes

Italy deserved victory. So, I am very excited. Defence was superb.
Affan Akmal, Islamabad

The usual competition full of diving, fouling, cheating and provocation. Will Materazzi be punished for pinching Zidane's chest? Will Fifa start to punish the divers using video evidence? I am getting to the stage where i can't be bothered with it all.....cheats DO prosper!
Peter Lee, Huntingdon

Every World Cup has its twist and this year's edition is no different! In the tournament, expect the unexpected, because you never know what you will get!
Maria Nes-Li Abella, Cebu, Philippines

The officiating except for the final had been below-par. We still couldn't punish the divers and the ones who feign injuries. In the end, Italy played some lovely passing football on their way to the trophy and they needed a bit of luck against Australia too. Also, the decision of the panel for choosing Michel Ballack as a contender for the Golden Ball is totally uncalled for. He did not play well this time but only had the reputation for playing well. But apart from all these, the World cup has been a Feast of Football.
Ganesh , Mumbai, India

for me the World Cup has been spoilt by too much diving!!
Paul Ainsworth, blackburn

A class World Cup in germany 06. I would have liked England to win, but i'm glad Italy won because they have beaten Germany and France.
Sam, York

Italy have won the worldcup by having a strong defence,they stuck to their game plan and their players have played within their limits.
Ali Hassan, Rawalpindi

Zidane should not have been given the Golden Ball award after what he had done but i'm afraid that is football today. It is not only Italian clubs that should be investigated but all football and also the FA associations they are just as bad. We need a complete overhaul of football starting with wages.
Derek Friend, Plymouth