It’s that time of year again – another thrilling set of international fixtures… Instead of eagerly awaiting the return of the Premier League, we’ve dipped into the archives and taken a look at five classics between the Azzurri and Three Lions ahead of their meeting in Milan.
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Italy 2-1 England – 1990 World Cup: 3rd-Place Play-Off
There’s an unfortunate recurring theme in this list if you’re English – spoiler alert, they lose. This third-place match at Italia 90 came off the back of an incredible summer. Although Bobby Robson’s side lost this game – which let’s face it, was essentially an exhibition match – they earned the support of the nation during the tournament.
Italy took the lead through legend Roberto Baggio after an absolute howler from Peter Shilton, before David Platt levelled the score. But once again, it was a penalty that sealed England’s fate, and Salvatore Schillaci dispatched his spot-kick to earn that famous third-place title.
England 1-2 Italy – 2014 World Cup Group Stage
Topping off England’s worst ever World Cup performance, this 2-1 defeat to Italy in 2014 was a moment to forget in Roy Hodgson’s reign. After drawing their opening game against group winners Costa Rica and losing in bitter fashion to Uruguay, pride was at stake.
Italy didn’t have a lot to play for either, but as we had come to expect from this fixture over the decades, the Azzurri came out on top. A back and forth game with first half goals from Claudio Marchisio and Daniel Sturridge was put to bed by a far-post Mario Balotelli header. More disappointment and the latest in a growing catalogue of defeats against the Italians.
Italy 0-0 England – 1997 World Cup Qualifier
The one game on this list that England didn’t lose – a thrilling 0-0 draw! But in the context of English football, this was a momentous occasion in Rome. A year after Euro 96, it would have been a catastrophe had they failed to qualify for the World Cup.
With Italy in need of three points and England safe in the knowledge that a draw would be enough, an incredibly nervy affair played out at Stadio Olimpico. In a gutsy, resilient display led by captain Paul Ince, the Three Lions kept the hopes of the entire country alive.
England 0-0 Italy (pens) – Euro 2012 Quarter-Final
Classic matches are defined by iconic moments, and this fixture has arguably one of the most memorable in major tournament history. After dominating over 120 minutes and peppering Joe Hart’s goal, the stage was set for yet another penalty shootout in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
Confident finishes from Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney either side of a Riccardo Montolivo miss gave England fans hope that today would be the day – an opportunity to put their shootout woes behind them. Up stepped the coolest man in world football, Andrea Pirlo. Not even remotely phased by the enormity of the situation, Pirlo delicately dinked a panenka past a flailing Hart in net. England of course went on to crumble and the Italians won – a truly unforgettable moment courtesy of one of football’s great geniuses.
Italy (pens) 1-1 England – Euro 2020 Final
The latest episode in major tournament history between these nations was yet another all-timer. Both had performed excellently on their way to the Euro 2020 final, with the stage set at Wembley Stadium. Luke Shaw’s early goal sent the home fans into raptures, only for England to squander their lead after sustained Italian pressure.
Another penalty shootout – any guesses as to who won? After Andrea Belotti’s miss, none other than Harry Maguire hammered the ball into the top corner. But three misses in a row opened the door for Italy to assert their superiority over the English, emerging victorious once again when it really mattered.
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