Brazil–Italy football rivalry
| Teams |  Brazil Italy |
|---|---|
| First meeting | Italy 2–1 Brazil (16 June 1938) |
| Latest meeting | Brazil 4–2 Italy (22 June 2013) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 16 |
| Most wins | Brazil (8) Italy (5) |
The Brazil–Italy football rivalry between the national football teams of Brazil and Italy, two of the most successful football nations in Europe and in the world, are long-time rivals. On the overall, the two teams have achieved nine World Cup victories. They have played against each other five times in the World Cup. Most notably, the 1970 World Cup Final and the 1994 World Cup final in which Brazil won 4–1 and 3–2 on penalty kicks respectively. They have also met at two FIFA Confederations Cups as well as the 1976 U.S.A. Bicentennial Cup Tournament and the 1997 Tournoi de France.
Brazil have won a total of eight meetings, slightly edging the Italians at five wins.[1]
The last meeting ended 4–2 in Nazaré on 22 June 2013.
List of matches
| Number | Date | Location | Competition | Game | Results |
| 01 | June 16, 1938 |  Marseille |
World Cup | Italy – Brazil | 2–1 |
| 02 | April 25, 1956 | Milan |
Friendly | Italy – Brazil | 3–0 |
| 03 | July 1, 1956 | Rio de Janeiro |
Friendly | Brazil – Italy | 2–0 |
| 04 | May 12, 1963 | Milan |
Friendly | Italy – Brazil | 3–0 |
| 05 | June 21, 1970 |  Mexico City |
World Cup | Brazil – Italy | 4–1 |
| 06 | June 9, 1973 | Rome |
Friendly | Italy – Brazil | 2–0 |
| 07 | May 31, 1976 |  New Haven |
Bicentennial Cup | Brazil – Italy | 4–1 |
| 08 | June 24, 1978 |  Buenos Aires |
World Cup | Brazil – Italy | 2–1 |
| 09 | July 5, 1982 |  Barcelona |
World Cup | Brazil – Italy | 2–3 |
| 10 | October 14, 1989 | Bologna |
Friendly | Italy – Brazil | 0–1 |
| 11 | July 17, 1994 | Pasadena |
World Cup | Brazil – Italy (a) | 0–0 |
| 12 | June 8, 1997 | Lyon |
Tournoi de France | Italy – Brazil | 3–3 |
| 13 | February 10, 2009 |  London |
Friendly | Brazil – Italy | 2–0 |
| 14 | June 21, 2009 |  Pretoria |
Confederations Cup | Brazil – Italy | 3–0 |
| 15 | March 21, 2013 |  Lancy |
Friendly | Brazil – Italy | 2–2 |
| 16 | June 22, 2013 | Nazaré |
Confederations Cup | Brazil – Italy | 4–2 |
- Brazil wins 1994 World Cup 3–2 on penalties
Italy 2–1 Brazil, 1938 FIFA World Cup semi-final, 16 June
Brazil were considered favourites to win in Marseille, despite Italy being reigning world champions, and so decided to rest key players for a final they ultimately would not reach. Nine minutes after Gino Colaussi's 51st-minute breakthrough, Giuseppe Meazza doubled Italy's lead from the spot. While Meazza was getting ready to take the penalty, the elastic in his shorts snapped, causing the Inter Milan striker to hold them up with his left hand when taking the kick. Romeu scored a late Brazilian consolation.[2]
Brazil 4–1 Italy, 1970 FIFA World Cup Final, 21 June
Italy reached the final by defeating West Germany 4–3 in one of the most memorable matches of all time, five of the seven goals coming in extra time. However, Ferruccio Valcareggi's men were beat in Mexico City four days later. Roberto Boninsegna cancelled out Pelé's 18th-minute opener, Brazil scored three goals in the second half by Gérson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto, with no answer from Italy.[2]
Brazil 0–0 Italy (Brazil win 3–2 on penalties), 1994 FIFA World Cup Final, 17 July
After 120 minutes of goalless action at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, United States, Franco Baresi and Roberto Baggio missed their penalty kicks as Brazil would go on to win their fourth World Cup title.[2]
Statistics
Overall
- ^ Brazil – Italy (Head-To-Head) at FIFA.com
- ^ a b c Paolo Menicucci (22 June 2013). "Brazil v Italy: classic encounters". UEFA.com. Retrieved 27 February 2016.