4 days to go

A World Cup Final is the pinnacle of any player’s career but when nerves are frayed and emotions are running high it can sometimes prove difficult to maintain a professional focus, and when that happens some players start to see red.

The first sending off in a Final was Argentina’s Perdo Monzon in the disappointing 1990 showpiece against Germany. It had taken 60 years for that moment to arrive but, like buses, 22 minutes later Monzon’s team-mate Gustavo Dezotti also got his marching orders.

Eight years later France’s Marcel Desailly was sent from the field with his side 2-0 up over Brazil. Thankfully for Les Bleus it didn't damage their chances too much, as they went on to win 3-0.

However, without question, the most high profile of the four players to have been dismissed in a Final was another Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane.

Deep into extra-time and with a penalty shoot-out looming as his side drew 1-1 with Italy, Zidane inexplicably head-butted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest to earn himself an instant red card and ultimately dash any hopes of ending a remarkable career on the perfect high.