Empty streets turned Dubai into a ghost town as the World Cup final was played out.

But in places where the game was screened, it was a city of excitement - from the chaotic parking to the seating (or lack of it) arrangements.

The streets turned even more chaotic when jubilant fans spilled out after Italy emerged victors from a shootout sparking celebrations from Sicily to Shaikh Zayed Road.

It was an emotionally crunching Sunday night, with no watchers willing to talk while the game was on. After Italy triumphed through 5-3 penalties, it was time for Azzurri to celebrate the bellisima game.

“A friend called from Italy just now hoping that France would win. Otherwise, he was afraid the building where he was might collapse from all the noise and revelry,” said Anna, from Naples.

He owns Italian Connections near Lamcy Plaza, where about 100 patriotic supporters had gathered.

Although the French took an early lead in the first period, the Italians played more elegant football, much to the consternation of Frenchman Alix Corbasson, from the northwestern city of Deauville who watched the finals with his Italian friends.

“I think the Italians played better,” he said after Zidane’s booking. “They will win because they were younger, faster and better.”

Frenchman Philippe Mountabin, manager of Sofitel, who was with a dozen friends at Churchill’s, said the French star Zidane shouldn’t have ended his career by losing his cool.

“The red card for Zizou was a bit heart-breaking,” he said.

His English friend Tony Brown added: “Fifa rules have a lot of attitude. If the referee sees you doing something nasty, you’re out. There’s no difference between Zidane head-butting Materazzi and Figo (of Portugal) headbutting the opposition earlier. The difference is Figo played in the next game.”