Since 1933 England have played 27 times, winning 8 and losing 11. Playing at home England have won 5 out of the 9 encounters drawing 2 and losing 2. England are yet to beat Italy in tournament football. Making you nervous ? Let’s look at some of the big games of the past.
England v Italy, 14 June 2014 – World Cup Finals Italy went ahead from a short corner, Pirlo dummied Verratti’s pass, and Marchisio scored with a low right foot shot. England equalised through a close-range Daniel Sturridge goal, but Mario Balotelli headed Italy’s winner five minutes after half time. England physiotherapist Gary Lewin was stretchered off with a dislocated ankle sustained in England’s goal celebrations which ruled him out for the rest of the World Cup.
England v Italy, 24 June 2012 Much of the game was played to Andrea Pirlo’s tune and Italy dominated the majority of the game as a result with England holding a counter punch. It finishes 0 – 0 and Alessandro Diamanti struck the decisive penalty as Italy edged past England 4-2 on penalties. Oh yeh and there was that Pirlo Penalty 🤦♂️
Italy v England, 07 July 1990 with the hope of reaching the final lost, the teams played out the 3rd place play off game in Bari Italy. Gazza was suspended following that card in the semi final. Italy took the lead in the 70th minute through Roberto Baggio following a Peter Shilton double howler, see it here if you like 🤦♀️ but David Platt quickly equalised with a nicely guided header before Italy were awarded a penalty 6 minutes before the end which Schillaci dispatched.
Italy v England, 15 June 1980 EURO Finals Group Game. Played in Turin Marco Tardelli scored the only goal as Italy ended England’s hopes and set up a winner-takes-all game against Belgium. Ron Greenwood’s England looked the more likely scorers but, without Trevor Francis, lacked firepower to finish Italy off. In the last minute Keegan’s overhead kick was saved by Dino Zoff after Tardelli had drilled in from close range in the 78th minute ending England’s campaign.
So far in this tournament an England led by Gareth Southgate (who has his own football history issues) have refused to look back an be impacted by our footballing past. Let’s hope for more of the same this Saturday. We are with you England ⚽👍.
There will be a bit of a hollow feeling after the tournament finishes, so make sure to fill it by getting back to playing rather than watching, you know it makes sense KEEP PLAYING, KEEP OTHERS PLAYING TOO !
