Five of the best games between Italy and Germany | OneFootball

Italy and Germany meet in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals tonight in an epic encounter between two footballing heavyweights.

The two teams have often collided in crunch clashes and we’ve decided to look back at some of their most memorable meetings.

Five of the best games between Italy and Germany

West Germany 3-4 Italy (1970 World Cup)

A clash that has since been dubbed the “game of the century”, Italy edged out West Germany in a classic World Cup semi-final in 1970.

A rather unremarkable 90 minutes looked set to end in Italy’s favour, after Roberto Boninsegna’s eighth-minute opener. German defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger equalised in the 90th minute to take the game to extra time – but few could have envisioned what was to come.

Incredibly, there were five goals scored in an end-to-end additional period. Gerd Muller fired the Germans ahead, but Italy responded through strikes from Tarcisio Burgnich and Gigi Riva. Muller’s second made it 3-3 on 110 minutes, only for the Azzurri to find a winner just moments later.

Gianni Rivera’s goal booked the Italians a place in the final against Brazil and concluded a chaotic clash that lives long in the memory.

Italy 3-1 West Germany (1982 World Cup)

Italy and West Germany met in the 1982 World Cup final in Spain.

The Italians prevailed to be crowned world champions for a third time, with the image of Mauro Tardelli’s goal and subsequent celebration etched into the competition’s history. Tardelli took towards the touchline with impassioned screaming after scoring a stunning second in Italy’s 3-1 win.

Paolo Rossi and Alessandro Altobelli were also on target for the Azurri.

Germany 0-2 Italy (2006 World Cup)

Italy have often got the edge over Germany when it comes to big games and that was the case again in 2006.

The sides met in the semi-finals with Italy ending Germany’s hopes of success on home soil. A tense tie appeared set to be decided by a shootout until Italy dramatically stole it late in extra time. Fabio Grosso’s glorious hit put the Italians ahead on 119 minutes, before a clinical counter ended with Alessando Del Piero lifting in a second moments later.

The Germans were floored at the Westfalenstadion, as Italy marched on in an ultimately successful pursuit of a fourth world title.

Germany 1-2 Italy (2012 European Championship)

Mario Balotelli’s mercurial career reached its highest point in this semi-final showdown between the teams at Euro 2012.

Balotelli’s brace stunned Germany, as the Italians overcame Die Mannschaft yet again on the big stage. The 21-year-old headed in Antonio Cassano’s cross for the opener before thundering a second past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer.

Mesut Ozil’s injury-time penalty set up a nervy finish but Germany could not find an equaliser in the closing stages. ‘Super Mario’s’ career never reached the heights expected but this was a golden performance from the forward in Azzurri colours.

Germany 5-2 Italy (2022/23 UEFA Nations League)

Germany became the first team in 65 years to score five goals in a game against Italy after destroying the Azzurri in 2022.

Hansi Flick’s side were five goals ahead inside 69 minutes of a ruthless performance in Monchengladbach. Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, Thomas Muller and Timo Werner (2) were all on target on a humbling evening for the visitors.

Italy clawed back a semblance of respect when 18-year-old  Wilfried Gnonto became Italy’s youngest-ever scorer and Alessandro Bastoni headed in a second.

However, this was Germany’s night and a chastening Nations League experience for the previously unbeaten Italians.

Read – Germany XI vs Italy – Predicted lineup and team news

See more – Italy vs Germany – Predicted lineup and team news

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