England vs Italy head to head: past fixtures, results, scorers and memorable matches after Euro 2024 qualifier

Harry Kane has surpassed Wayne Rooney to become England’s all time top goal scorer
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England opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory against reigning European champions Italy.

Harry Kane wrote his name into the history books during the game by scoring his 54th international goal, overtaking previous record holder Wayne Rooney.

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England suffered the heartbreaking setback of a penalty shootout loss in the Euro 2020 final and they will be targeting revenge at Wembley Stadium when the two sides meet again at the same venue in October.

Here’s a look back at some of the classic meetings between England and Italy, how many times they have faced one another and the last time the Three Lions came out on top at a major tournament.

How many times have England and Italy played each other?

The history books show that England and Italy have played each other on 31 occasions.

England have recorded nine wins from those past meetings, with nine draws and 13 losses for the Three Lions in all competitions.

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The first recorded meeting between England and Italy was on 13 May 1933 when 50,000 spectators in Rome witnessed a 1-1 draw.

When did England and Italy last meet?

England and Italy came head to head at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples on 23 March 2023.

Gareth Southgates side recorded an impressive 2-1 victory in the opening game of their Euro 2024 qualification campaign, thanks to first half goals from Declan Rice and new record goalscorer Harry Kane.

England survived a second half fight back from Italy after a goal from debutant Mateo Retegui in the 56th minute and they were forced to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Luke Shaw’s late sending off.

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Prior to that fixture the two sides met on 23 September 2022 at the San Siro in the penultimate fixture of the UEFA Nations League.

The Three Lions named a strong team for the encounter and started six of the same players that were used in the Euro 2020 final.

England struggled to find any real fluidity in the game and Italy ultimately ran out 1-0 winners after a stunning second half strike from striker Giacomo Raspadori.

The defeat led to England’s relegation from Group A of the Nations League, meanwhile Italy went on to finish top of the group with 11 points from six games - progressing to the semi-final stage of the competition in the process.

When did England last beat Italy?

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England fans celebrated their first victory over Italy since 15 August 2012.

Daniele De Rossi put the Azzurri ahead in the international friendly fixture at Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland, before Phil Jagielka levelled and Jermain Defoe bagged the winner.

The game came just six weeks after Italy knocked England out of Euro 2012 on penalties.

When did England and Italy last meet at a major tournament?

The Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium between England and Italy is the last time the two nations played at a major tournament.

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England got off to a dream start in the final with left back Luke Shaw bagging the opener after one minute and 56 seconds - the fastest ever goal in a Euro final and the fifth fastest in the history of the tournament.

Italy, who were unbeaten in 33 matches heading into the final, slowly edged their way back into the game and they were level in the 67th minute with Leonardo Bonnuci scoring an equaliser.

After a tense period of extra time, the game went to penalties with the Three Lions missing three of their five spot kicks. Marcus Rashford hit the post with his penalty and Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were both denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

When did England last beat Italy at a major tournament?

England have never beaten Italy at a major tournament - either at the Euros or the World Cup.

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The first meeting between the nations at a major tournament came at Euro 1980, with Marco Tardelli scoring the only goal of the group stage game.

A third place play off at the 1990 World Cup went the way of home nation Italy, thanks to goals from Roberto Baggio and Salvatore Schillaci. David Platt briefly equalised on the night.

Then came the 2012 heartbreak in the Euros before another meeting just two years later at the World Cup which was also won by Italy.

Most recently England suffered the heartbreak of a penalty shootout loss in the Euro 2020 final. It was England’s fourth defeat in five shootouts at the European Championships.

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