Italy is bound to come up several times in any discussion of the world’s top footballing nations. With four World Cup titles, Italy is tied with Germany and second only to Brazil (five) in terms of tournament success. They also won the 1936 Olympic football tournament and two European Championship titles in 1968 and 2020. They are known as Azzurri for their traditional blue kits. Before the World Cup in Qatar, where we won’t see Italy because of their loss in UEFA qualifiers playoff match by North Macedonia, let us remind ourselves about the most legendary national football teams that ever participated in this most renowned soccer tournament.
The beginnings and early success
Italy organized its first official match against France shortly after its founding in 1910. They won 6-2 in front of 4,000 fans at Arena Civica, with Pietro Lana scoring the game’s first goal. The team’s fans rewarded the players with cigarette packets, who were pleased with their performance. This was one of only two games in which Italy wore white jerseys; the following year, they changed to blue jerseys inspired by the royal House of Savoy crest on the national flag.
The team’s first notable achievement came in 1928 when it finished third in the Summer Olympics football tournament. They would go on to win the competition eight years later, defeating Austria 2-1 in the final match. They won the Central European International Cup twice between these two appearances. They were also invited to the first World Cup in 1930 but declined to take part.
World Cup Success
Italy hosted a World Cup in 1934, marking their first appearance in the competition. The legendary Giuseppe Meazza, arguably the greatest Italian player of all time, led this squad. Meazza, nicknamed “Il Genio” by the Italian press, was a prolific goalscorer and ball virtuoso. Vittorio Pozzo coached the team, and he popularized a 2-3-2-3 formation with two half-backs and two inside forwards.
Italy was set to face Spain after defeating the United States 7-1 in their first World Cup match. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, with several contentious decisions favoring the home team. Italy defeated Spain 1-0 in the rematch, thanks to a Meazza goal. They then defeated Austria 1-0 in the semi-finals and Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the finals to win the World Cup on their debut. Meazza was named tournament’s best player.
Many pundits believed that the Italian squad at the 1938 World Cup was even stronger than the previous one because of the addition of the talented young striker Silvio Piola. Italy proved them right by defeating Norway, France, Brazil, and Hungary en route to its second World Cup title in a row. According to rumors, Italian fascist Prime Minister Mussolini sent the team a telegram saying, “Win or die!” before the finals. This, however, was never proven.
Recovery From an Air Disaster
Due to WWII, the 1938 World Cup was the last major tournament for 12 years. However, one year before official national competitions resumed, Italy was struck by a terrible disaster. The entire Torino football team was killed in the infamous Superga air disaster. This significantly impacted Italy, as the Torino players were the national team’s lynchpin. Following this mishap, the team began traveling by boat.
The following period saw the Azzurri struggle to establish their previous dominance. After failing to advance from the group stage at the 1950 and 1954 World Cups, they were unable to compete in the 1958 tournament. Italy returned to the World Cups in 1962 and 1966 with more talented teams, but they were eliminated in the group stage both times. In addition, the team failed to qualify for the first two European Championships in 1960 and 1964.
Champions of Europe
Italy finally emerged from this rut in 1968, winning its first European Championship. Italy was chosen to host the final tournament after advancing through the qualifiers. Their semi-final match against the Soviet Union ended in a 0-0 tie, with Italy winning on a coin toss. The final match against Yugoslavia ended in a draw, but Italy won the rematch 2-0, claiming their first major trophy in 30 years.
This good form carried over to the 1970 World Cup. Italy advanced to the finals, led by talented offensive players such as Gianni Rivera and Luigi Riva, but they were defeated 1-4 by Brazil. The semi-final against West Germany in the tournament became known as the “Game of the Century.” Italy won the game 4-3, with 5 of the 7 goals coming in extra time and Rivera scoring the game-winning goal late in the game.
The Rise and Fall
The Azzurri were eliminated in the group stage of the 1974 World Cup after a shock loss to Poland in the final group match. They also failed to qualify for the European Championships in 1972 and 1976, causing uproar in the Italian press. Nonetheless, the arrival of a talented new generation of Italian players led by star striker Paolo Rossi appeared to brighten the future.
Their first chance to establish themselves came during the 1978 World Cup when they won all three games in their group. They were the only team to defeat the hosts and eventual champions of Argentina. However, a loss to the Netherlands in the second round ended their title hopes, with goalkeeper Dino Zoff taking the brunt of the blame for being beaten by a 30-yard shot. Italy was defeated by Brazil in the third-place match.
Success and Controversies
Two years later, Italy would host its second European Championship. The final tournament featured eight teams divided into two groups this time. Italy finished second and qualified for the third-place match after defeating England and drawing with Spain and Belgium. They were defeated by Czechoslovakia in a high-scoring penalty shootout, 9-8, with Fulvio Collovati missing the game-winning penalty.
The Totonero match-fixing scandal, which saw numerous players, including Rossi, suspended from the Italian league, hampered preparations for the 1982 World Cup. On the other hand, Rossi returned to the national team just in time to compete in the World Cup, which proved to be a huge boost to the team’s fortunes. Nonetheless, their group stage matches were disappointing, as they advanced with three consecutive draws.
The Azzurri then imposed a press blackout, which seemed to lift the team’s mood. They defeated Argentina (2-1) and Brazil (3-2) in the second round, with Rossi scoring a hat-trick in the latter. He followed that up with a brace against Poland in the semi-finals, propelling Italy to the finals against West Germany. They won the match 3-1 to win their third World Cup. Unsurprisingly, Rossi won both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.
The following generation
Italy entered the 1986 World Cup with low expectations after failing to qualify for the Euro 1984. This pessimistic prognosis became true when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by France. However, this underwhelming performance sparked renewed interest in young talent. Players like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, and Gianluca Vialli were all introduced to the national team within the next two years.
This new squad debuted at Euro 1988, where they were drawn into a difficult group with West Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Italy held its own, drawing 1-1 with West Germany and winning the remaining two games. These results propelled them to the semi-finals, but the experienced Soviet Union squad proved too formidable to overcome. As a result, Italy was defeated 0-2 in a close match.
Baggio’s dominance
Italy hosted its second World Cup in 1990. Salvatore Schillaci became one of the most prominent members of this Italian team. Despite being used as a substitute at first, Schillaci scored a goal in six of the seven games he played, earning him the tournament’s player of the year award. Italy advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated in a penalty shootout by Argentina. In the third-place match, they defeated England 2-1.
Despite missing out on Euro 1992, most pundits regarded Italy favorably prior to the 1994 World Cup. Roberto Baggio had fully established himself as one of the best players in the world by this point, and many believed this would be his tournament. However, Italy struggled in the group stage, losing to Ireland in the opener and barely making it to the knockout round. Baggio was unrecognizable, and most of the public blame was directed at him.
In an unexpected turn of events, Baggio and Italy rediscovered their form in the knockout stages. On their way to the finals, they defeated Nigeria, Spain, and Bulgaria, with Baggio scoring five goals. However, he suffered a hamstring injury, forcing him to play with painkillers in the final match against Brazil. The game was eventually decided on penalties, with Baggio missing the final penalty and handing Brazil the title.
Mixed results
By comparison, the following two major tournaments were disappointing affairs for Italy. They failed to advance from a group that included eventual finalists Germany and the Czech Republic at Euro 1996. They reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup but were defeated by France in a penalty shootout. Similarly to the previous performance, their opponents won the entire tournament.
Italy brought a strong squad to Euro 2000, including rising star Francesco Totti and established big names such as Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo “Pippo” Inzaghi. They beat Romania and the Netherlands on their way to a rematch with France in the finals after winning all three games in their group. Despite holding a 1-0 lead for most of the second half, France equalized in injury time and won on Trezeguet’s golden goal.
This heartbreaking defeat proved difficult for the Azzurri to swallow as they reverted to mediocrity. Despite being overwhelming favorites to win the 2002 World Cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by hosts South Korea. Despite collecting 5 points from 3 games at Euro 2004, they did not advance from their group. Sweden and Denmark advanced on goal difference in a three-way tie.
A triumphant return to the podium
As a result of the slump, the Italian Football Federation appointed Marcello Lippi as the new manager. His first game in charge ended in a 0-2 defeat to Iceland, but he still qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Italy was running like a well-oiled machine by the time the group stages arrived. They breezed through the group with two victories over Ghana and the Czech Republic and a draw against the United States.
Italy continued to perform well in the knockout stages, particularly on defense. They defeated Australia, Ukraine, and Germany without conceding a goal, setting up a rematch with France in the final match. The finals this time were marred by controversy. Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi before the game ended 1-1 and went to penalties. Italy won the penalty shootout to win its fourth World Cup, after Fabio Grosso found the net with the last shot of the tournament.
Recent events
Following this accomplishment, Italy struggled to regain its winning ways. They were eliminated in the first round of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and they did not compete in the 2018 World Cup. On the other hand, their performances at the European Championships were a little more inspiring. The Azzurri reached the quarter-finals of both the 2008 and 2014 Euros but were eliminated on penalties on both occasions.
Their most successful performance during this time period came at the Euro 2012. Italy defeated England on penalties after escaping a difficult group that included Spain and Croatia. Following that, they defeated Germany 2-0 in the semi-finals, with Mario Balotelli scoring both goals. On the other hand, the final game against Spain was quite anticlimactic, as their opponents took an early lead and controlled the game on their way to a 4-0 rout.
In 2021, Italy would triumph by winning the European Championship for the second time. England was the opponent, and the final score was 1-1 after full time, with no goals scored during extra time. Following the penalty shootout, Italy won three out of five times, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making two saves (a third England penalty was going in the post).
World Cup success
Italy hosted a World Cup in 1934, marking their first appearance in the competition. The legendary Giuseppe Meazza, arguably the greatest Italian player of all time, led this squad. Meazza, nicknamed “Il Genio” by the Italian press, was a prolific goalscorer and ball virtuoso. Vittorio Pozzo coached the team, and he popularized a 2-3-2-3 formation with two half-backs and two inside forwards.
Italy was set to face Spain after defeating the United States 7-1 in their first World Cup match. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, with several contentious decisions favoring the home team. Italy defeated Spain 1-0 in the rematch, thanks to a Meazza goal. They then defeated Austria 1-0 in the semi-finals and Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the finals to win the World Cup on their debut. Meazza was named tournament winner.
Many pundits believed that the Italian squad at the 1938 World Cup was even stronger than the previous one because of the addition of the talented young striker Silvio Piola. Italy proved them wrong by defeating Norway, France, Brazil, and Hungary en route to its second World Cup title in a row. According to rumors, Italian fascist Prime Minister Mussolini sent the team a telegram saying, “Win or die!” before the finals. This, however, was never proven.
Recovery from an air disaster
Due to WWII, the 1938 World Cup was the last major tournament for 12 years. However, one year before official national competitions resumed, Italy was struck by a terrible disaster. The entire Torino football team was killed in the infamous Superga air disaster. This significantly impacted Italy, as the Torino players were the national team’s lynchpin. Following this mishap, the team began traveling by boat.
The Azzurri struggled to reestablish their previous dominance in the years that followed. After failing to advance from the group stage at the 1950 and 1954 World Cups, they were unable to compete in the 1958 tournament. Italy returned to the World Cups in 1962 and 1966 with more talented teams, but they were eliminated in the group stage both times. In addition, the team failed to qualify for the first two European Championships in 1960 and 1964.
Champions of Europe
Italy finally emerged from this rut in 1968, winning their first European Championship. Italy was chosen to host the final tournament after advancing through the qualifiers. Their semi-final match against the Soviet Union ended in a 0-0 tie, with Italy winning on a coin toss. The final match against Yugoslavia ended in a draw, but Italy won the rematch 2-0, claiming their first major trophy in 30 years.
This good form carried over to the 1970 World Cup. Italy advanced to the finals, where they were defeated 1-4 by Brazil, led by talented offensive players such as Gianni Rivera and Luigi Riva. The semi-final against West Germany in the tournament became known as the “Game of the Century.” Italy won the game 4-3, with 5 of the 7 goals coming in extra time and Rivera scoring the game-winning goal late in the game.
The rise and fall
The Azzurri were eliminated in the group stage of the 1974 World Cup after a shock loss to Poland in the final round. They also failed to qualify for the European Championships in 1972 and 1976, causing uproar in the Italian press. Nonetheless, the arrival of a talented new generation of Italian players led by star striker Paolo Rossi appeared to brighten the future.
Their first chance to establish themselves came during the 1978 World Cup when they won all three games in their group. They were the only team to defeat the hosts and eventual champions of Argentina. However, a loss to the Netherlands in the second round ended their title hopes, with goalkeeper Dino Zoff taking the brunt of the blame for being beaten by a 30-yard shot. Italy was defeated by Brazil in the third-place match.
Success and controversies
Italy would host their second European Championship two years later. This time around, the final tournament featured eight teams divided into two groups. Italy finished second and qualified for the third-place match after defeating England and drawing with Spain and Belgium. They were then defeated by Czechoslovakia in a high-scoring penalty shootout, 9-8, with Fulvio Collovati missing the game-winning penalty.
The Totonero match-fixing scandal, which saw numerous players, including Rossi, suspended from the Italian league, hampered preparations for the 1982 World Cup. Rossi, on the other hand, returned to the national team just in time to compete in the World Cup, which proved to be a huge boost to the team’s fortunes. Nonetheless, their group stage matches were disappointing, as they advanced with three consecutive draws.
The Azzurri then imposed a press blackout, which seemed to lift the mood of the team. They defeated Argentina (2-1) and Brazil (3-2) in the second round, with Rossi scoring a hat-trick in the latter. He followed that up with a brace against Poland in the semi-finals, propelling Italy to the finals against West Germany. They won the match 3-1 to win their third World Cup. Rossi, predictably, won both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.
The following generation
Italy entered the 1986 World Cup with low expectations after failing to qualify for the Euro 1984. This pessimistic outlook paid off when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by France. However, this underwhelming performance sparked renewed interest in young talent, and players like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, and Gianluca Vialli were all introduced to the national team within the next two years.
This new squad debuted at Euro 1988, where they were drawn into a difficult group with West Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Italy then held its own, drawing 1-1 with West Germany and winning the other two games. These results propelled them to the semi-finals, but the experienced Soviet Union squad proved too formidable to overcome. Italy was defeated 0-2 in a close match.
Baggio’s dominance
Italy hosted its second World Cup in 1990. Contrary to popular belief, Salvatore Schillaci was the most prominent member of this Italian team. Despite being used as a substitute at first, Schillaci scored a goal in six of the seven games he played, earning him the tournament’s player of the year award. Italy advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated in a penalty shootout by Argentina. In the third-place match, they defeated England 2-1.
Despite missing out on Euro 1992, most pundits regarded Italy favorably prior to the 1994 World Cup. Roberto Baggio had fully established himself as one of the best players in the world by this point, and many believed that this would be his tournament. However, Italy struggled in the group stage, losing to Ireland in the opener and barely making it to the knockout round. Baggio was unrecognizable, and the majority of the public blame was directed at him.
In an unexpected turn of events, Baggio and Italy rediscovered their form in the knockout stages. On their way to the finals, they defeated Nigeria, Spain, and Bulgaria, with Baggio scoring five goals. However, he suffered a hamstring injury, forcing him to play with painkillers in the final match against Brazil. The game was eventually decided on penalties, with Baggio missing the game-winning penalty and handing Brazil the title.
Mixed outcomes
In comparison, Italy performed poorly in the next two major tournaments. They failed to advance from a group that included eventual finalists Germany and the Czech Republic at Euro 1996. They reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup but were defeated by France in a penalty shootout. Similarly to the previous performance, their opponents won the entire tournament.
Italy brought a strong squad to Euro 2000, including rising star Francesco Totti and established big names such as Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo “Pippo” Inzaghi. They beat Romania and the Netherlands on their way to a rematch with France in the finals after winning all three games in their group. Despite holding a 1-0 lead for most of the second half, France equalized in injury time and won on Trezeguet’s golden goal.
This heartbreaking defeat proved difficult for the Azzurri to swallow, as they reverted to mediocrity. Despite being overwhelming favorites to win the 2002 World Cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by hosts South Korea. Despite collecting 5 points from 3 games at Euro 2004, they did not advance from their group. Sweden and Denmark advanced on goal difference in a three-way tie for first place.
A triumphant return to the podium
As a result of the slump, the Italian Football Federation appointed Marcello Lippi as the new manager. His first game in charge ended in a 0-2 defeat to Iceland, but he still qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Italy was running like a well-oiled machine by the time the group stages arrived. They breezed through the group with two victories over Ghana and the Czech Republic and a draw against the United States.
Italy continued to perform well in the knockout stages, particularly on defense. They defeated Australia, Ukraine, and Germany without conceding a goal, setting up a rematch with France in the final match. The finals this time were marred by controversy. Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi before the game ended 1-1 and went to penalties. Italy won the penalty shootout to win its fourth World Cup.
Recent events
Following this accomplishment, Italy struggled to regain its winning ways. They were eliminated in the first round of both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and they did not compete in the 2018 World Cup at all. On the other hand, their performances at the European Championships were a little more inspiring. The Azzurri reached the quarter-finals of both the 2008 and 2014 Euros but were eliminated on penalties on both occasions.
Their most successful performance during this time period came at the Euro 2012. Italy defeated England on penalties after escaping a difficult group that included Spain and Croatia. Following that, they defeated Germany 2-0 in the semi-finals, with Mario Balotelli scoring both goals. On the other hand, the final game against Spain was quite anticlimactic, as their opponents took an early lead and controlled the game on their way to a 4-0 rout.
Italy would win the European Championship for the second time in 2021. England was the opponent, and the final score was 1-1 after full time, with no goals scored during extra time. Following the penalty shootout, Italy won three out of five times, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making two saves (a third England penalty was hit the post).
However, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2022, their second consecutive failure to qualify which happened for the first time in Italy’s World Cup history. After finishing second in UEFA Qualifying Group C behind Switzerland, Italy had to play in the second round playoff. In the Path C semi-finals they lost to North Macedonia thanks to the amazing late shot by striker Aleksandar Trajkovski, who actually spent many years playing professionally in Italy.
Bonus: Interesting and Quick Facts About Soccer in Italy
Italy’s Soccer History
Because soccer originated in the United Kingdom, it is no surprise that the game was introduced to the Italians by the British. The sport was first played at the end of the nineteenth century, and the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio was founded in 1898. However, Italy did not participate in the sport internationally until Mussolini’s reign in the 1930s.
The Team Pack
Traditionally, national football teams wear kits that depict their country’s flag, but this is not the case for the Italians. Although their flag is red, white, and green, their team uniform is blue and white with an Italian flag on the shirt.
A Series
Series A includes the top 20 soccer teams in Italy. This is Italy’s top professional soccer league. Juventus of Turin is currently the most dominant team in Serie A. They have a long-standing rivalries with A.C. Milan, Internazionale Milano, A.S. Roma, S.S. Lazio and S.S.C. Napoli.
Italian Football Success
Historically, the Italian soccer team has consistently ranked high compared to other national teams from around the world and has received numerous awards. They won the World Cup four times: in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. With these four victories, Italy has become the second most successful country in World Cup history, trailing only Brazil.
Today in Italian Soccer
Soccer remains the most popular sport in Italy, with over four million people participating each year. Italians are extremely patriotic when their team plays because it is a part of their culture and history. Even though many sports are played in Italy, soccer is by far the most popular. If you want to see the Italians’ soccer skills in action, tune in to one of their televised matches, which are broadcast worldwide.
