Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil — 2006 Free Kick

Zinedine Zidane's free-kick for France against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal — won 1–0 — was an exercise in tournament authority from a 34-year-old playing his final World Cup. The goal itself, thumped from 25 yards over the wall with his weaker right foot, was vintage Zidane: minimal fuss, maximum execution. He ended the tournament as Player of the Tournament despite being sent off with a headbutt in the final, scoring a defining Panenka penalty. His 2006 run remains the most elegant farewell to a major tournament in football history.