Euro 2012: Spain v Italy: Past meetings

SPAIN face Italy in tomorrow’s European Championship final having never beaten them in their seven competitive meetings over 90 minutes, with their only victory coming on penalties in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals. Here, are their previous clashes in major tournaments:

1934 World Cup quarter-finals, ITALY 1 SPAIN 1, ITALY 1 SPAIN 0

Spain and Italy’s first big clash brought the World Cup’s first ever replay. The sides could not be separated after extra-time in Florence, drawing 1-1 after Giovanni Ferrari cancelled out Luis Regueiro’s goal. They met again 24 hours later, Italy coming out on top thanks to the legendary Giuseppe Meazza before going on to win their first title.

1980 European Championship group stage, SPAIN 0 ITALY 0

It was 46 years before the sides’ next competitive meeting and, again, Italy were hosts. Spain had the better of what was a goalless draw that did neither side much good. Italy ended up losing a third-placed play-off, while Spain exited at the group stage.

1988 European Championship group stage: ITALY 1 SPAIN 0

Italy and Spain were drawn in the same group again eight years later, the former snatching what proved a decisive victory thanks to Gianluca Vialli’s second-half winner. The Italians again reached the last four, only to lose to the Soviet Union, while Spain did not get out of the group.

1994 World Cup quarter-finals: ITALY 2 SPAIN 1

The sides clashed in Boston for a place in the semi-finals. The game looked destined for extra-time after Dino Baggio scored for Italy and Jose Luis Caminero equalised. However, Roberto Baggio grabbed a late winner.

2008 European Championship quarter-finals) SPAIN 0 ITALY 0 (4-2 on pens)

The closest Spain have come to losing a knockout tie in the past four years, but also their first competitive victory against Italy to keep them on course for the Euro 2008 title. Iker Casillas saved from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale in the penalty shootout.

2012 European Championship group stage: SPAIN 1 ITALY 1

The sides met in their Group B opener in Gdansk three weeks ago, Italy getting their tactics spot on and outplaying Spain at times. Di Natale came off the bench to put the Azzurri ahead but Cesc Fabregas equalised.