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A tearful Michael Ballack claimed "it just isn't meant to be" for him to play in a World Cup final after Germany lost 2-0 to Italy in Dortmund.
Four years after the Chelsea signing missed out on Germany's 2-0 loss to Brazil after being banned, a 119th-minute strike by Fabio Grosso denied him a second shot at glory in dramatic fashion in Tuesday's semi-final.
Grosso curled in a superb shot from a sharp left angle deep into extra-time before Alessandro del Piero doubled the lead two minutes later to force the host nation to its knees.
The 29-year-old Ballack could not hold back his tears after the final whistle.
"It is very bitter for us to get eliminated like this, one minute from time," Ballack said. "It is bitter but not undeserved.
"We started out rather slowly but did a much better job in the second half.
"The game was well-balanced. The Italians had the better chances in extra-time as they hit woodwork twice. But we also had some good opportunities afterwards, with the header (from Lukas Podolski)."
Italy hit the post twice in the first two minutes of extra-time, first through Alberto Gilardino and then through Gianluca Zambrotta, but Podolski wasted a clear-cut chance when he headed wide and also forced Gianluigi Buffon into a spectacular save eight minutes from time.
But then came Andrea Pirlo's superb pass, and Ballack hailed the man-of-the-match for setting up the game winner in impressive fashion.
"I don't really know what happened," Ballack added. "It was a corner which got cleared. Pirlo did a superb job. Normally you would shoot but he ran parallel to the box.
"We had three players in front of him but could not prevent his feed. And then Grosso puts on a great, clinical finish."
A heartbroken Ballack almost broke out in tears when he was asked whether Tuesday's loss felt any worse than his absence from the 2002 World Cup Final.
"It just is not meant to be for me," he stated. "It is bitter."
Germany defender Christoph Metzelder claimed Pirlo's "moment of brilliance" made the difference.
"Everyone was expecting him to shoot but he just passed," Metzelder said. "That was a moment of brilliance.
"We are utterly disappointed. I am sure we would have won the shoot-out. To go down like this is cruel. We would have deserved to win."
FIFA have drawn up the shortlists for the World Cup's outstanding player and the best young player of the tournament.
The technical studies group named 10 players for the adidas Golden Ball award and the field is made up of four Italians, three Frenchmen, two Germans and one Portuguese.
The Golden Ball decision will be made on Monday and traditionally the winner comes from the finalists - German keeper Oliver Kahn was chosen in 2002.
Thierry Henry and his former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira are both in the running therefore, as is Zinedine Zidane.
From Italy, their outstanding central defender Fabio Cannavaro and keeper Gianluigi Buffon have been nominated along with midfielder Andrea Pirlo and full-back Gianluca Zambrotta.
Hosts Germany provide Miroslav Klose, currently leading scorer in the tournament, and captain Michael Ballack, while Portugal's midfielder Maniche has also been nominated.
Of the six candidates for the Gillette best young player award, three have been chosen by fans in an internet poll and three selected by FIFA's technical study group.
The fans chose Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Valencia of Ecuador and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
The technical study group added the trio of Germany striker Lukas Podolski, Tranquilo Barnetta from Switzerland and Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Players had to be under 21 on January 1 this year in order to qualify - from England, Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon were both eligible.
Ronaldo was left in tears after Portugal's defeat
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo said he was "pleased" by the vitriolic reaction to his every touch in the World Cup semi-final loss to France.
The crowd's response was thought to stem from his actions in the quarter-final win over England, when striker Wayne Rooney was sent off.
But after Wednesday's match in Munich, which France won 1-0, Ronaldo, 21, said: "I was pleased about being booed.
"Maybe France fans were upset to see a dangerous player. I'm not worried."
Ronaldo preferred to focus on the performance of referee Jorge Larrionda, claiming the Uruguayan was biased against his side.
"We played well and did our best but the referee didn't help us," said the Manchester United player.
Zinedine Zidane netted the game's only goal in the 33rd minute when he neatly stroked a penalty past Portugal keeper Ricardo.
"Portugal showed that they can play good football," added Ronaldo. "France were no better than we were. They got a penalty but not much else.
"We are disappointed not to reach the final after such a match.
"We really wanted to go through but didn't make it. It is the end of our dream. But we have to congratulate France."
Portugal now play tournament hosts Germany in the third-place play-off match in Stuttgart on Saturday.
"We think of the next game now and hopefully we can win it," Ronaldo said.
Svetoslav Todorov has urged Bulgarian team-mate Stilian Petrov to join him at Portsmouth.
Celtic have already turned down a £3.5million bid from the south coast club for Petrov, but Harry Redknapp is expected to return with an offer in the region of £5million.
Petrov is desperate to play in the Premiership but the club are reluctant to sell given that he signed a new contract in January keeping him at Parkhead until 2010. However, Todorov wants his national team captain to make the move south.
He said: "He is a good friend of mine, I have known him for about 12 years. We played in the national youth side and then the Under-21s.
"Now we are team-mates for Bulgaria. It would be a great signing for us and I have told him all about Portsmouth and said it would be a good club to come to.
"He is a very good player - the captain of Bulgaria and one of the best players in the country.
"He is a creator and scores goals. But his game is not just about going forward - he can defend as well.
"He is strong and gets all over the pitch."
Four leading Premiership players, at least one of whom is thought to be an international player, broke FA rules by betting on their own clubs last season, according to PR guru Max Clifford. (Express)
Real Madrid insist they were given permission by Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich to sign Dutch winger Arjen Robben. (Sun)
David Beckham is expected to be offered a new three-year contract at Real Madrid. (Sun)
Spurs boss Martin Jol is planning an improved £7.5m bid for Middlesbroug's left-sided England midfielder Stewart Downing. (Mirror)
Portsmouth are planning to smash their transfer record and swoop for PSV Eindhoven's Peruvian striker Jefferson Farfan. (Mirror).
Arsenal are set to sign Argentine striker Javier Saviola, who is being offloaded by Barcelona for as little as £2m. (Sun)
Robbie Savage has rejected the chance to become Wigan's highest-paid player and wants to remain with Blackburn. (Sun)
Wigan are prepared to match Birmingham's £5m asking price for former Leicester and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey. (various)
Arsenal are one of several clubs interested in Fenerbahce's Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, the combative midfield player, who is valued at around £7m. (Express)
Cristiano Ronaldo was offered an escape route out of English football last night after new Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello revealed he wants to sign the £22million-rated winger.
The controversial Manchester United star, condemned for his part in club-mate Wayne Rooney's sending-off in England's World Cup quarter-final against Portugal, is determined to quit Old Trafford. Real Madrid — who also hit back at Chelsea's claims that they tapped up unsettled winger Arjen Robben — are known to be his favoured destination and they have instructed their new sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, to open negotiations with United.
Capello, who quit Juventus to return for a second stint at Real yesterday, said: "If Ronaldo wants to come, that's great for us. He is a great player, but at the moment he belongs to Manchester United.
"It's a matter for Mijatovic, but we are delighted if he wants to come here. Every player in the world wants to play for Real Madrid and that's very lucky for me."
Ronaldo revealed his intention to quit United ahead of the quarterfinal in Gelsenkirchen, only for Ferguson to insist he was not interested in selling.
That all changed after the winger played a huge part in Rooney's dismissal by waving an imaginary card at referee Horacio Elizondo and apparently saying: 'It's a foul, it's a foul, it's a red card.'
Rooney has since issued a statement criticising Ronaldo's actions, and it is clear that relations between the pair have soured, perhaps beyond repair.
The call from Capello will be difficult for Ronaldo to resist. The fabled Italian coach — who once went 58 games unbeaten with Milan between 1991 and 1993 — clinched seven Serie A titles with three different clubs and won the Spanish league with Real in his only season in Madrid in 1997.
Capello signed a three-year deal after resigning his post at Juventus on Tuesday. He is determined to restore the club's fortunes after a barren spell of three years without a trophy.
He said: 'This is the most important club in the world and we have to return to winning titles. We have to be humble and recover the spirit that has always distinguished those wearing Real Madrid colours. In recent years this spirit has been lost. If we are able to recover it, the titles will come very soon.'
Capello has been handed a £100m transfer budget, funds with which Real have already gone a long way to damaging their relationship with several leading Premiership clubs.
Real have provoked Chelsea's ire after their new president, Ramon Calderon, confirmed his club had spoken to Dutch winger Robben about a move to Spain.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon complained to FIFA yesterday, only for Calderon to claim he made the approach before he was elected as the club's new president on Sunday.
Calderon said: 'Since becoming president, I have not spoken to any players. I spoke to players before I was president and I told them it would be a dream to sign them, but that was before I was part of the club.
'Now things have changed, as I am officially the president of Real Madrid, and we will conduct ourselves properly by speaking to the clubs of the players we want to sign.'
Real are also expected to contact Arsenal this week about signing Cesc Fabregas, but the north London club have no intention of selling their increasingly influential young midfielder.
Although Fabregas has told friends he wants to move to Real later in his career, Sportsmail understands he wants to continue his football education under Arsene Wenger. Arsenal have opened talks with the 19-year-old Spaniard over a new contract and they expect Fabregas to sign before the Premiership season starts on August 19.
However, Real are certain to make a clutch of signings before the end of the summer and still retain an interest in Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.
The England left back, who is also wanted by Chelsea, has a 'gentle-man's agreement' with Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein that will
allow him to leave the club for £15m this summer.
Chelsea also have a declared interest in Real left back Roberto Carlos, but Capello will hold talks with the 33-year-old Brazilian before deciding whether to replace him with Cole.
The Italian, who also insisted that former England captain David Beckham has a long-term future at the club, added: 'Roberto Carlos is wanted by a lot of clubs — one in particular — but we will decide soon whether he will stay with us.
'We are working to assemble a great squad to win titles. The players that will come will be of great quality.
'It's important to find leaders and players that can help us get results. It's not easy but it has to be done.'
He added: 'There is no problem with Beckham — he is an important player for Real Madrid.'
Italy defender Alessandro Nesta has been ruled out of the World Cup final in Berlin because of a groin injury.
The AC Milan centre-back has missed Italy's last three matches after aggravating a long-term injury in Italy's 2-0 win over Czech Republic.
Marco Materazzi continues in defence alongside skipper Fabio Cannavaro.
France's Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram will play their final games for Les Bleus after confirming their retirement from international football.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Zambrotta, Grosso, Cannavaro, Materazzi; Gattuso, Camoranesi, Pirlo, Perrotta; Totti; Toni.
Italy's Nesta has suffered injury setbacks in all three of the World Cups in which he has played - he missed Italy's second round defeat to South Korea four years ago and was also injured for the quarter-final exit to France in 1998.
Former Everton defender Materazzi stood in against Czech Republic and Germany, while Palermo centre-back Andrea Barzagli covered in the quarter-final against Ukraine.
Midfielder Daniele De Rossi returns from a four-match ban for elbowing USA forward Brian McBride in the face during the first round, although he isn't expected to start.
Italy are the designated home team and will sport their familiar home blue colours, while France will play in white for the fourth match in a row
In an extraordinary development in the Italian match-fixing hearing in Rome, the lawyer acting for Juventus said yesterday the club would accept relegation to Serie B next season as punishment, while Milan and Lazio claimed to have no case to answer.
Cesare Zaccone, who is defending Juve, told the judge, Cesare Ruperto: "The acceptable sanction would be that which has been proposed for the other clubs facing the same charges: Serie B with penalty points." He was gently reprimanded by Ruperto: "Don't say 'acceptable' - it sounds like you're bargaining with me."
Zaccone's observation came in response to the draconian punishments requested on Tuesday by Stefano Palazzi, the prosecutor for the Italian Football Federation. Palazzi had called for Juventus to be relegated to the third or fourth division, Serie C1 or C2, with six points deducted, for Fiorentina and Lazio to be sent down to the second division, Serie B, with 15 points deducted, and for Milan to be relegated to the second division with three points deducted. Final verdicts are expected between 20 and 27 July.
Surprise greeted Zaccone's statement. Antonio Di Pietro, a minister in Romano Prodi's government and a former magistrate who made his name during the "Clean Hands" corruption trials in 1992, said that to "pre-announce the acceptance of Serie B with points deducted is a clear admission of guilt".
Until Wednesday, the club had distanced itself from the activities of its former sporting director, Luciano Moggi, who is accused of setting up a network of referees who favoured the club in key matches. The dramatic change of strategy is probably dictated by the fear that relegation to the third or fourth division would bankrupt the club.
Juventus, who can expect an exodus of their best players, are Italy's richest club but are not bankrolled by the wealthy patrons, the Agnelli family, owners of Fiat motors. Around 80 per cent of the club's income comes from television-rights deals and sponsorship.
Juve earn €95m (£66m) a season from Rupert Murdoch's Sky Italia pay-television company, have a €187.2m (£130m) 12-year kit-supply deal with sports goods manufacturer Nike, and a €102m (£71m), five-year sponsorship deal with Libyan oil firm Tamoil. Each deal would be renegotiated if relegation occurs. Going down to Serie B would lead to a significant, but sustainable, reduction in value, but being exiled to the wilderness of the third division would render the contracts virtually worthless.
Gian Michele Gentile, the lawyer for Lazio, said that the Rome club would not be following Juventus in suggesting an acceptable punishment. "We are innocent. We have nothing to admit."
Marco De Luca, a lawyer for Adriano Galliani, vice-president of six-times European champions Milan, conceded during the hearing that his client ought to have denounced what he knew of irregularities - but that was not an offence.
Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has down played reports of a potential move to Manchester United.
The AC Milan player has been linked with the Premiership as his current club faces accusations of wrongdoing in the match-fixing scandal which has tarnished Serie A.
Prosecutors have called for Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio to be relegated.
"I am certain that I will remain at AC Milan and that I will play in Serie A next season," Gattuso said. "If this doesn't happen, then I will talk to the club and hope to remain and finish my career at Milan."
Italy coach Marcello Lippi was also linked with a move to Manchester United in the British press, but Gattuso, who will play in Sunday's World Cup final against France, said: "The press can write whatever they want.
"At this point, I cannot think of another club wanting me or anything else but Sunday's final. This game is bigger than myself, I have never expected to be able to play a World Cup final, so all my energy is directed at this."
Lippi has yet to confirm whether he will remain in charge of the Azzurri after the end of the tournament.
"I hope that Lippi stays with us," Gattuso said. "Beside the enormous respect and friendship that I have with him, he is able to get the best out of his players and that's very important for our national team."
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