"Never mind the final, the Germans are the real World Cup winners," wrote The Times after Sunday's final in which Italy beat France on penalties.

"The national team might not have been in the final last night, but the tournament has still been a triumph for the hosts," the daily continued, adding: "The economy has enjoyed a 0.3 increase in GDP, 2 million visitors have revised their idea of the country and Germans are again proud."

It concluded: "Even England supporters behaved, thanks in part to the relaxed way that police handled them."

The Independent said that the host nation "amazed and delighted" the rest of the world.

"The organisation was exemplary as might have been expected from a country renowned for its precision engineering. Less expected was the relaxed hospitality Germany extended to its visitors and the unembarrassed enthusiam with which the Germans cheered on their team."

French star Zinedine Zidane's head-butt against an Italian player cast a shadow over his marvellous career, the dailies said.

"Did Zidane's moment of madness cost him the World Cup?" asked the Daily Mail.

"It was Zidane's last appearance in international football, meaning that he will always be remembered not for his undoubted skill, but for an act of shameful violence," the Mail said.

The Guardian, headlining its story "Zidane exits the stage with a walk of shame," said: "A red card rather than a greetings card sent Zinedine Zidane into retirement after 19 minutes of extra-time.

"But after 108 international matches and 31 goals, it was sad to watch the Frenchman leave the pitch in such a manner."

The Times commented: "Thanks to 'his Majesty Zizou', France has recovered the joie de vivre that it had lost in recent years as defeat and disappointment battered the gallic psyche.

"Zidane, who was born and raised in the poor housing estates of Marseilles, is an icon of gallic achievement, but (...) he has also served to remind France of its failure to bring into the mainstream the children of immigrants from its former colonies."