So, France and Italy are all that are left standing and Sunday we find out who wins the World Cup this time around. Everyone has been impressed with France's play of late, particularly their performance against Brazil that limited the defending champs to only a few chances at goal.

Soccer is a subtle sport, though, and we've got a perfect example of that now. For all their dominant play of late, France hasn't scored a goal from the run of play for two matches. (Their last goal that didn't come off a PK or a free kick was Zidane's late insurance tally against Spain; Vieira's game-winner in that match also came off a free kick.)

Statistically, this has been the lowest-scoring World Cup since the 1990 edition and it certainly seems true from observation as well. Teams are stingy, preferring to sit back and defend rather than sending the hordes forward to crash the opponent's net. (Does this say something about the world's mood right now? Probably so—in times of uncertainty, people have a tendency to protect what's theirs rather than try to expand their creative realm.) It's likely that Sunday's final will continue the defensive trend, considering the results that both teams have put up so far. Neutral fans should hope for an early goal to open things up, but the game should be fascinating in any case.

I've avoided making predictions in the blog thus far but I have a sneaking suspicion it may be Italy's year. I'll be pulling for France, though, in hopes that they can send Zinedine Zidane into his retirement in the most dramatic way possible. I really don't want Italy to win but if they do, I'll be able to console myself with the idea that the only goal they conceded through six games was against the U.S.

That would be a sad consolation, however. Allez les Bleus!