The World Cup is the only time the entire world pays attention to soccer. Okay, outside of the Unites States, soccer is probably the most popular sport in the history of humanity. Notwithstanding, the World Cup is played once every four years, sort of like the Olympics or the US Presidential Election.

This past Sunday, I envisioned a great match before Italy and France squared off in the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In my mind, I could not predict that the game would come down to a shootout. Nor did I expect the great Frenchman Zinedine Zidane would be ejected from the game, especially in overtime with the game on the line. All of these things did happen. However, who really wants to see Italy win again not by an actual shot on goal, but a shootout, involving five players from each team. Could you imagine the NBA Finals concluding on a game of horse, or the Superbowl decided by who can kick the longer field goal or throw the longer pass?

The World Cup should rethink the shootout that occurs after no one team has the lead after overtime. The ending to the 2006 FIFA World Cup was truly boring. I hope someone from the FIFA is listening to complaints such as mine.

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