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21 World Cup memories we won't forget from Germany 2006

Ireland weren’t there, but the rest of the world got on just fine without us.

1. Our World Cup was over before it even started

A 0-0 draw at home to Switzerland in our final qualifier meant Ireland didn’t even make the playoffs.

Matt Holland 12/10/2005 ©INPHO ©INPHO

2. These two were just kids, playing in their first World Cup

(More on the Ronaldo fella later…)

ron messi

3. Esteban Cambiasso and the 24 passes that led up to his goal against Serbia

shabbyalonso / YouTube

4. Daniele de Rossi busting Brian McBride open

… and getting a four-match ban for his troubles.

APTOPIX WCUP WORLD CUP SOCCER ITALY USA AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

5. Graham Poll making a mickey of things by dishing out three yellow cards to Croatia’s Josip Simunic

Soccer - 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany - Group F - Croatia v Australia - Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

6. The Maxi Rodriguez corker that flattened Mexico and sent Argentina through to the quarter-finals

(It’s even better with the Spanish commentary.)

Pedro Fiora / YouTube

7. England’s free-kick expert David Beckham scoring his first England free-kick in three years against Ecuador

birminghamcity123 / YouTube

8. Eamon Dunphy turning his analysis on BBC’s post-match interviews

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9. And another summer of Apres Match in general

“You’re not the only sexy one. Women have weird tastes, Graeme.”

APintTurtle / YouTube

10. Portugal and Holland kicking lumps out of each other

There were 16 yellow cards and four red cards in a game that became known as the Battle of Nuremberg.

Sportslover / YouTube

11. This dubious, dubious stoppage-time penalty that sent Italy through to the last eight and Australia home

balancinggargoyle / YouTube

12. This goal by Ronaldo, which made him the all-time record scorer with 15 World Cup goals

GOALASSIOTV / YouTube

13. Thierry Henry was up to his old tricks, winning the free that helped France to beat Spain in the quarter-finals

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14. Rooney’s stamp on the Carvalho family jewels – and Ronaldo’s wink

ronnywink

OgreSlug / YouTube

15. The end of Sven’s England

Eriksson packed it in after losing to Portugal on penalties, and Schteve McClaren found himself in the hotseat.

World Cup - England press conference - Buhlertal PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

16. Their World Cup was nothing like this ad, really

watchRadAds / YouTube

17. Grosso’s goal and the most passionate celebration since Tardelli in 82

(Andrea Pirlo’s pass here is quite magnificent.)

Chad Manciagli / YouTube

grosso

18. Zidane having the ultimate cojones to panenka a penalty in the World Cup final…

Victor Garcia / YouTube

19. …And then sticking the head on Marco Materazzi in one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history

henryperu7 / YouTube

20. This image

SOCCER EXTRA TIME AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

21. Italy holding their nerve over penos and winning the World Cup for the fourth time

ITALY WCUP WORLD CUP AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

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