Only One Photographer Captured Zidane's Infamous World Cup Headbutt

Twenty years after the 2006 World Cup final, AFP photographer John MacDougall recalls being the only photographer to capture Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi. The incident occurred off the ball during extra time at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, with most photographers focused on the play. MacDougall, assigned to shoot atmospheric details, noticed Materazzi aggressively marking Zidane and stayed on the Italian player. Zidane rushed back into frame and headbutted Materazzi in the chest, earning a red card that ended his career. MacDougall captured a single frame showing Materazzi falling. He later captured Zidane's red card and Materazzi on the ground. MacDougall went on holiday the next day and only realized the photo's global impact when it appeared in "best photos of the year" lists.