Italy national football team
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| Team colours
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| Nickname
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| Squadra Azzurra (Blue Squad)
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| Association
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| Italian Football Federation
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| Current coach
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| Marcello Lippi, 2004-
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| Most capped player
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| Paolo Maldini: 126
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| Highest goalscorer
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France
(Milan, Italy; 15 May, 1910)
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| Largest win
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Italy 9 - 0 USA
(Brentford, England; 2 August, 1948)
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| Largest defeat
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Hungary 7 - 1 Italy
(Budapest, Hungary; April 6, 1924)
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| World Cup
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Finals appearances: 15 (First: 1934)
Best result: Winners (3), 1934, 1938, 1982
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| European Championships
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Finals appearances: 6 (First: 1968)
Best result: Winners 1968
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The Italy national football team is one of the most successful national football teams, having won three World Cups. The traditional jersey color of the national team is blue, and for that reason the national team is sometimes nicknamed "the Azzurri".
History
Italy has appeared in five World Cup finals in total, losing two to Brazil, a 4-1 defeat in 1970 final in Mexico and an agonising penalty shootout defeat in 1994, after a 0-0 at the end of extra time. Italy has won two World Cups consecutively, in 1934, when it was hosted in Italy, beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in Rome and the 1938 World Cup, beating Hungary 4-2. Italy also hosted the World Cup in 1990, reaching the Semi-finals, losing 4-3 on penalties to Argentina after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. They beat England 2-1 in the third place play-off. They only conceded 2 goals in the whole tournament.
Italy has won the European Championship once, in 1968 when it was held in Italy. They drew 1-1 with Yugoslavia, and then in the replay won 2-0. Italy also reached the final of 2000, losing 2-1 to France after France equalised in the 90th minute and went on to win with a golden goal in extra time. Italy were knocked out of 2004 in the first round, equal on points to Sweden and Denmark, but scored fewer goals in the first two group matches. Giovanni Trapattoni, the coach was replaced by Marcello Lippi after Trapattoni's contract expired on 15 July 2004.
World Cup record
European Championship record
Famous Players
