Germany–Italy football rivalry

Italy - Germany Rivalry

Commemorative plaque at Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) for the Game of the Century
Teams	Germany  Italy
First meeting	Italy 3–1 Germany (1 January 1923)
Latest meeting	Italy 0–0 Germany (15 November 2016)
Statistics
Meetings total	35
Most wins	Italy (15) Germany (8)
Largest victory	3 games (3 goal difference)
Largest goal scoring	Germany 5–2 Italy (26 November 1939) Italy 4–3 Germany (a.e.t) (17 June 1970)

The Germany–Italy football rivalry between the national football teams of Germany and Italy, the two most successful football nations in Europe and only behind Brazil internationally, is a long-running one. Overall, the two teams have won eight FIFA World Cup championships (four each) and made a total of fourteen appearances in the final of the tournament (eight for Germany and six for Italy) – more than all the other European nations combined. They have played against each other five times in the World Cup, and many of these matches have been notable in the history of the tournament. The "Game of the Century", a 1970 semifinal between the two countries that Italy won 4–3 in extra time, was so dramatic that it is commemorated by a plaque at the entrance of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Germany has also won three European Championships while Italy has won it once. The two countries have faced each other four times in the European championship, with three draws (one German penalty shoot-out victory) and one Italian victory.

While Germany has won more international championships, Italy is largely dominant in the head-to-head international match-up, having beaten Germany 15 times in 34 games, with 11 draws and 8 defeats. Moreover, Germany had never defeated Italy in a major tournament match until the Euro 2016 quarter finals, with all Germany's other wins over Italy being in friendly competitions. However, the draw between the two teams in the group stage of Euro 1996 eliminated Italy from the tournament, while Germany had already qualified for the knockout stage.

There were also four matches played between Italy and East Germany which resulted 1 win for each country and 2 draws.

The two countries played against each other once in the Summer Olympics. In the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, West Germany defeated Italy 3–0 in the bronze medal match.