Euro 2020, postponed to the summer of 2021 due to the global pandemic, saw a resurgent Italy claim their second European Championship title.
The Azzurri entered the tournament on the back of a lengthy unbeaten streak but as underdogs in the Euro winner odds.
Nonetheless, Italy triumphed thanks to a blend of tactical brilliance and technical prowess under the astute management of Robert Mancini.
With the defence of their title on the horizon, here’s a detailed look back at Italy’s unforgettable path to glory.
Group stage
Italy were drawn into Group A, alongside Turkey, Switzerland, and Wales.
The Azzurri kicked off their campaign with a statement-making 3-0 win against Turkey in Rome, showcasing a fluid, attacking style that set the tone for their tournament.
They continued their impressive form with another 3-0 victory over Switzerland, with Manuel Locatelli scoring twice and Ciro Immobile notching late.
Completing the group stage, Italy secured a 1-0 victory over Wales thanks to a first-half strike from Matteo Pessina.
Mancini’s men topped their group with maximum points and without conceding a goal, signalling their serious contender status for the title.
Round of 16
Italy faced Austria in the round of 16, a match that tested their resolve more than any game in the group stage.
After a goalless 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. Italy showed their depth and quality, with Federico Chiesa and Pessina scoring to secure a 2-1 victory.
This game was a crucial test of Italy’s ability to overcome adversity and marked their first real challenge on the road to the title.
Quarter-finals
The quarter-finals pitched Italy against Belgium, a side who have notoriously underperformed during what has been dubbed their ‘golden generation’.
In a high-stakes showdown, Italy displayed both their defensive solidity and clinical counter-attacking ability.
Goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne put Italy ahead, and despite a penalty from Romelu Lukaku, Italy held on for a 2-1 win.
This victory over a top-ranked team boosted their confidence and underscored their status as a powerhouse in European football.
Semi-finals
The semi-final against Spain was perhaps Italy’s most challenging match, pitting Mancini’s tactical nous against Luis Enrique’s possession-based game.
After extra time, the match ended 1-1, with Chiesa scoring a beautiful curling shot for Italy in the 60th minute only for Alvaro Morata to equalise late on.
The game proceeded to penalties, where Italy triumphed 4-2, partly thanks to crucial saves from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The final
The final against England was a rollercoaster of emotions for the fans, held before a predominantly English crowd at Wembley Stadium.
England took an early lead with a goal from Luke Shaw in the second minute. However, Italy remained composed, slowly exerting their influence by controlling the game’s tempo and possession.
The equaliser came from veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci, who scored following a scramble in the box.
The match went to extra time and eventually to penalties. Italy showcased their steely nerves in the shootout, winning 3-2, with Donnarumma making the decisive save against Bukayo Saka’s penalty, sealing Italy’s triumph.
Italy’s journey to the Euro 2020 title was a masterclass in tactical flexibility, team spirit, and resilience.
The Azzurri are once again outsiders in the Euro odds 2024, but they have proven once before that they prevail as underdogs, so who’s to say they can’t do it again?
