When did Italy last lose at football? Azzurri's 34 match unbeaten run analysed after Euro 2020 final joy vs England

England and Italy met in the final of the 2021 Euros at Wembley Stadium, with the Azzurri clinching a tense penalty shootout
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England were under no illusions of the scale of the task in the Euro 2020 final, when they faced an in-form Italy

The Azzurri have the edge on the Three Lions when it comes to major tournament meetings, winning all four encounters in 2014, 2012, 1990 and 1980 prior to Sunday’s final.

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Furthermore, Italy were on an incredible 33 match unbeaten run - and have won all six of their Euro 2020 fixtures, including extra time and penalty shootouts over Austria and Spain ahead of the match.

England will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2021. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)England will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2021. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
England will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2021. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

It has been quite the turnaround for Italy who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup under caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio before Roberto Mancini took charge in May 2018.

Let's have a look at Italy's record since then, who they have faced during that time and when they last lost a football match.

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When did Italy last lose a game?

Italy's unbeaten run stretches back to 2018, meaning they've gone two full calendar years without losing a game.

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Their last defeat came at the hands of Euro 2016 winners Portugal in the Nations League on Monday 10 September 2018.

An Andre Silva goal just after half time was all that separated the sides on that day, with Portugal going on to win the Nations League in 2019.

It was only the second loss Italy had endured during Mancini's reign, with the other coming against France in an international friendly on 1 June 2018.

Italy won the first game of Mancini's time in charge in a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, with Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti scoring in the match two weeks after his appointment.

Who have Italy beaten in their 34 match unbeaten run?

The list is long.

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Italy have won 29 of the 34 matches, including extra time and penalty shootouts, and drawn five in that time, with two coming in the first three matches.

The unbeaten run began with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in a friendly on 10 October 2018 and Italy have gone from strength to strength since then.

They won 11 games in a row soon after to set a new national record for consecutive victories, which saw a 9-1 win over Armenia on 14 November 2018.

Their victims over the 34 game unbeaten run include notable wins over USA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Northern Ireland and Czech Republic.

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In Euro 2020, they've beaten Turkey, Switzerland, Wales, Austria, Belgium and Spain to reach the final where they beat a buoyant England at Wembley Stadium.

How many goals have Italy scored in the 34 match unbeaten run?

Italy have scored 87 goals over the 34 match unbeaten run, conceding just 11.Ciro Immobile has scored the most goals (8), Lorenzo Insigne has the most assists (7), Leonardo Bonucci has played the most minutes and Nicolo Barella has made the most appearances during that time.

The 34 match unbeaten run surpassed the Azzurri's previous best of 30 recorded between 1935 and 1939 under then coach Vittorio Pozzo.

Mancini's Italy have also claimed the most consecutive wins over 90 minutes (11) from Pozzo's World Cup and Olympic gold medal winning side.

Brazil and Spain currently hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, both with 35 matches to their name from 1993-1996 and 2007-2009 respectively.

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