History Of The European Championship: 2000

The French rode their luck, especially in the Rotterdam Final where it took a last-gasp injury time goal to keep them in the match against Dino Zoff's Italy.

After a rather dull first period in which Italy seemed reluctant to venture out of their own half, the game opened up after the break as the Azzurri sensed their chance for glory.

Italy brought on Alessandro Del Piero early in the second half and they soon took the lead. Totti skilfully fed Pessotto on the right and his controlled cross evaded the attention of Desailly and fell for Marco Delvecchio, who hit a volley into the net from close range.

Suddenly the Italians were on song and another chance was created when Totti put Del Piero in the clear.

Racing clear of the defence, it looked like the Juve forward was going to put Italy two goals to the good but unfortunately he put the ball wide of the goal.

That miss gave France hope and they started to come back. Toldo was forced to make a couple of good saves from Sylvain Wiltord and Thierry Henry and Zidane started to dictate the pace of the game.

The Italians, however, remained dangerous on the counter and on 84 minutes they should have made the game safe when Del Piero was sent through again. This time he hit a tame shot which Barthez in the French goal saved easily.

With the confidence that being world champions often affords, France started to up the pressure on the normally efficient and reliable Italian defence.

After successfully keeping them out for a dogged five minutes, the Italians finally relented, thus beginning an extraordinary end to an extraordinary competition.

Four minutes into injury time, Barthez pumped a long kick upfield and found the head of David Trezeguet.