The peak 17.4m BBC audience at 21:35 gave the corporation 63% while ITV1 peaked with a 13% share.
The BBC averaged 11.9m for its entire programme while the game took 14m. ITV1's coverage, which ran from 6pm to 10.20pm, drew in an average audience of 2.5m and an 11% audience share. The game itself averaged 3.3m audience.
France's hopes were dashed after French captain Zinadine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi during extra time in what commentators referred to as a "moment of madness".
After 90 minutes the score was 1-1 and, after no goals in extra time, went to penalties against France's Fabien Barthez and Italy's Gianliugi Buffon.
Earlier in the day, between 1.30pm and 5.35pm, the Wimbledon Men's Final coverage delivered an average 5.3m and a 41% share, peaking at 5pm with 7.4m and a 46% share for BBC1.
At 10.20 on ITV 1, Agatha Christie's 'Poirot' drew 2.4m and a 14% share, whilst BBC One's 'Only Fools On Horses' for Sport Relief drew in 4.2m and a 22% share.
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