The Azzurri were crowned champions for a fourth time after defeating France in a penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 1-1.

Sunday's intriguing contest was overshadowed by the sending-off of France playmaker Zinedine Zidane in his last ever match for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time.

Italian football has been dragged into the mire since the eruption of the match-fixing scandal. Four clubs -- Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio -- are suspected of match-fixing in the 2004-05 season.

Juventus are almost certain to be relegated, while the other three clubs are facing a points deduction for the start of next season. The sentences will be handed down by a sports tribunal in Rome on Wednesday.

"I'm convinced that if it wasn't for the scandal, we wouldn't have won the World Cup," said midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.

"It gave us an extra push."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro agreed the squad had been galvanized by their off-field problems.

"For me this is the highlight of my career," he said. "The lads were great.

"This victory tastes even sweeter given all that's happened over the past few weeks."

Striker Luca Toni said winning the World Cup went some way to restoring Italian football's battered image.

"We will celebrate all summer," said the Fiorentina striker.

"I don't know what to say, its indescribable. I could never have imagined anything like this.

"We've united Italy, from Lombardy to Sicily, who are celebrating in the piazzas.

"We came here with a lot of problems and nobody believed we could do it. Now we are champions of the world."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi saluted his players for a Herculean effort.

"I have to say thanks to these great players," he said. "They have shown great heart and determination.

"As a coach I have won the Champions League and Serie A titles, but I've never felt joy like this."

Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon said divine intervention also played a role in the Azzurri's success.

"We've always had a squad capable of becoming champions, but you also need a bit of luck and some help from someone up above," he said.