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28 March 2024

Euro 2016: Germany vs Italy… Why Italy favourites

Italy's forward Eder (C) talks with teammates as they walk around the pitch of the Bordeaux stadium on the eve of the match between Italy and Germany during the Euro 016, in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 1, 2016. (AFP)

Published
By Agencies

World champions Germany play Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 on Saturday. The Germans have never beaten Italy in eight attempts at a major tournament.

Here AFP Sports looks at their previous meetings:

1962 World Cup

West Germany 0 Italy 0

West Germany faced Italy for the first time at a major finals in Chile. Their opening group game of the tournament finished goalless against an Italy side featuring the late Cesare Maldini.

1970 World Cup

West Germany 3 Italy 4 aet

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger's late equaliser forced the semi-final into extra time. West Germany then went 2-1 ahead through Gerd Mueller, although goals from Tarcisio Burgnich and Luigi Riva put Italy back on top. Mueller struck again to level, but Gianni Rivera grabbed Italy's winner after 111 minutes to settle the 'Game of the Century'.

1978 World Cup

West Germany 0 Italy 0

Neither team was able to find a way past iconic German goalkeeper Sepp Maier or Italy legend Dino Zoff as the second-round group stage match finished goalless in Buenos Aires.

1982 World Cup

West Germany 1 Italy 3

Goals from Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli powered Italy to a third World Cup title in Madrid, with Paul Breitner netting a late consolation for the West Germans.

1988 European Championship

West Germany 1 Italy 1

Andreas Brehme cancelled out Roberto Mancini's opening goal as hosts West Germany fought back for a point to kick off the tournament in Duesseldorf.

1996 European Championship

Germany 0 Italy 0

Germany held on to claim a point despite the second-half dismissal of Thomas Strunz to finish top of their group, with Italy crashing out after Vladimir Smicer netted a late equaliser for the Czech Republic against Russia.

2006 World Cup

Germany 0 Italy 2

Germany's hopes of lifting the World Cup on home soil were dashed in the semi-finals when extra-time goals in Dortmund from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero sent Italy through to the final.

2012 European Championship

Germany 1 Italy 2

An inspired Mario Balotelli consigned Joachim Loew's side to a semi-final exit in Warsaw. The mercurial Italy striker netted twice in the first half with Mesut Ozil's stoppage-time penalty not enough for Germany.