Berlin, July 10 (DPA) Italy won their fourth world title after overcoming France in a penalty shoot-out after the two sides finished a goal apiece after extra-time in the Olympic Stadium here Sunday.

Italy edged the shoot-out 5-3 to add to the titles won in 1934, 1938 and 1982 and banish the bitter memories of a defeat on penalties to Brazil in the 1994 final in Pasadena.

Captain Fabio Cannavaro on his 100th appearance for Italy lifted the trophy to fireworks and ticker tape before the Italians began a joyous lap of honour.

The final ended in disgrace for France captain Zinedine Zidane, who was sent off in the 20th minute of extra-time on his last game before retiring from professional football.

Zidane, apparently responding to something Marco Materazzi said, turned and head-butted the Inter Milan central defender in the chest.

Argentinian referee Horacio Elizondo did not see the off-the-ball incident but after consulting with his linesman, showed Zidane the red card.

Zidane, bidding to lift the World Cup for the second time after 1998, had earlier scored France's opening goal with a cheekily chipped penalty.

It was something out the ordinary from the 34-year-old midfielder, but the assault on Materazzi - scorer of Italy's equaliser - was a moment of madness, which will remain a blot on his career.

Zidane did not return from the dressing room to join his dejected team-mates for the medals ceremony.

In the penalty showdown, Andrea Pirlo, Materazzi, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Grosso all converted for the Azzurri.

Without Zidane or Thierry Henry, who had been substituted, France missed two specialists for the penalty showdown.

David Trezeguet, an extra-time substitute, missed the decisive penalty for his side when he blasted the ball against the bar, while Sylvain Wiltord, Eric Abidal and Willy Sagnol all converted their spot kicks.

The game got off to an incident-packed start when Materazzi brought down Florent Malouda, and Zidane coolly chipped the ball over the diving Gianluca Buffon in goal to give France a seventh minute lead. The ball bounced off the underside of the bar, but over the line before rebounding back onto the bar.

Materazzi made amends by leaping over Patrick Vieira to head Italy back level in the 19th minute. Luca Toni thundered a header onto the bar in the 36th minute as Italy got the upper hand.

Both sides were then able to cancel each other out for long spells with France looking the more dangerous, but Henry up front forged a lone fight.

Extra-time saw France in the ascend. Franck Ribery went close and Zidane saw a header brilliantly saved by Gianluca Buffon in goal.

Zidane could have been the hero but instead he was the villain in a World Cup, which will always be remembered for a sad end to a distinguished playing career.

Match Statistics

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon - Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso - Mauro Camoranesi (86. Alessandro Del Pierro), Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta (60. Vicenzo Iaquinta) - Francesco Totti (60. Daniele De Rossi) - Luca Toni.

France: Fabien Barthez - Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal - Patrick Vieira (46. Alou Diarra), Claude Makelele - Franck Ribery (100. David Trezeguet), Zinedine Zidane, Florent Malouda - Thierry Henry.

Referee: Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)

Attendance: 69,000