ENGLAND AND ITALY come into this evening’s quarter-final having not met in 10 years.
The last time they faced was a friendly at Elland Road in 2002 which ended in a 2-1 win for the Azzurri and of the 22 matches played between the two, Italy have claimed nine to England’s seven.
We’ve picked out four of the best previous encounters between the nations…
England 2 Italy 0, World Cup ’78 qualifier
Goals from Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking ensured the Wembley crowd went home satisfied as England defeated their rivals for the first time in 40 years to edge closer to World Cup qualification, which they actually missed out on for a second successive time.
YouTube credit: sp1873
Italy 2 England 1, World Cup ’90 third/fourth play-off
Beaten by the Germans on penalties in Turin, England came up against the hosts in a third place play-off in Bari but lost out thanks to Roberto Baggio’s goal and a penalty from Golden Boot winner Toto Schillaci with David Platt scoring for Bobby Robson’s side.
YouTube credit: wwwallworldcupgoals
England 2 Italy 0, Le Tournoi
During the warm-up tournament for the World Cup (which is best remembered for Roberto Carlos’ ‘banana’ free-kick), a 22-year-old Paul Scholes scored his first senior international goal after setting up Ian Wright with a superb through-ball for Ian Wright’s opener.
YouTube credit: ClassicEngland
Italy 0 England 0, World Cup ’98 qualifier
England needed at least a draw to earn automatic qualification to the France ’98 and although they didn’t score, they played an impressive passing game under Glenn Hoddle and secured a 0-0. Angelo Di Livio was sent off and skipper Paul Ince played the closing moments with a bloodied shirt and a Terry Butcher-style bandage on his head.
YouTube credit: cestrian81
England 1 Italy 2, friendly
Giovanni Trapattoni took his team to Elland Road to a friendly in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup and despite going behind to Robbie Fowler’s 63rd minute goal, a brace from Vincenzo Montello completed a late comback.
YouTube credit: sp1873
