Chance to avenge World Cup defeat

England 0 Italy 1 - 1980 European Championships group stage

Marco Tardelli scored the only goal of the game as Italy ended England’s hopes at Euro 1980. The Juventus midfielder poked home a low cross from the left wing past the despairing Peter Shilton to set up a winner-takes-all encounter against Belgium for a place in the final. The defeat ended England’s involvement in their first international tournament since the 1970 World Cup.

Italy 2 England 1 - 1990 World Cup third-place play-off

Italy clinched third place at their home World Cup, while England recorded what is still their best performance at the tournament since they won it in 1966. Peter Shilton marked his 125th and final England cap with an error that allowed Roberto Baggio to open the scoring on 71 minutes. David Platt headed an equaliser 10 minutes later, but Salvatore Schillaci scored his sixth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot with four minutes left to win the game.

Italy 0 England 0 - 1998 World Cup qualifier

After the ignominy of failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, England redeemed themselves with a point in Rome which saw the Three Lions secure their place at the 1998 World Cup in France and turn Glenn Hoddle’s men into heroes. A bad-tempered game saw eight yellow cards, the sending-off of Angelo Di Livio, Paul Ince play with a blood-stained bandage around his head and Ian Wright miss an open goal.

England 0 Italy 0 (Italy won 4-2 on penalties) - Euro 2012 quarter-final

It was a familiar tale of penalty heartache for England, with Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missing their spot-kicks and Alessandro Diamanti converting his to send Italy through to the semi-finals. The Azzurri had dominated throughout normal and extra time, with Andrea Pirlo putting in one of the great midfield performances and Antonio Nocerino having a goal chalked off for offside.

England 1 Italy 2 - 2014 World Cup group stage

What would become England’s worst ever performance at a World Cup began with a promising display but an ultimately disappointing defeat to the Italians for the second time in as many major tournaments. Raheem Sterling hit the side-netting early on from distance, before Italy opened the scoring through Claudio Marchisio’s drive after a classy Pirlo dummy. England equalised two minutes later through Daniel Sturridge, but Mario Balotelli headed Italy’s winner on 50 minutes. Wayne Rooney then missed an easy chance as England set the tone for their Brazilian nightmare.