ALLEGEDLY*
THE MORGUECASE CLOSEDAugust 30, 2026
▶ PLAY THIS CASE BLIND Loads the redacted lede with the answer hidden. Three strikes, same as the day it ran.

Case No. 36: Zinedine Zidane

In the final act of his legendary career — extra time of a World Cup final — this French midfield maestro planted a headbutt into an Italian defender's chest and walked off past the trophy.

The full story

Zinedine Zidane was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final for headbutting Marco Materazzi, who had insulted his family; it was the last act of his playing career as France lost the shootout. The moment remains among the most replayed in football history.

The clues we handed out

— The defender, Marco Materazzi, later admitted he'd insulted the player's sister.

— It was the last touch of his professional career; France lost on penalties.

— He'd won the whole tournament in 1998, scoring twice in the final in Paris.

— As a manager, he won three straight Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

— Initials: Z.Z.

How this case played

ALLEGEDLY* edition No. 36. Three strikes to name Zinedine Zidane, with a free clue unlocked after every miss.

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*A blind item you can check. Every puzzle is drawn from the public record — court records, official rulings, and moments that unfolded on live television — and the records are linked above. Allegedly.
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