Steven Gerrard may have to erase the memory of missing for England against Portugal in 2006 on Sunday night…
So we’ve avoided Spain, hooray, but drawn Italy. It’s difficult to know what to make of the Italians, who won five points despite scoring just four goals in three games.
What we should expect is a tough and nervy battle between two teams set up to defend. The two controversial Manchester rivals Rooney and Balotelli will hope to provide a moment of inspiration to win it for their countries, but if not we should hang onto the edge of our seats.
Why is that? It’s because penalties beckon, before a ball has even been kicked, we can see it now.
England and Italy are two sides who have a chequered history at spot kicks, the Italians have won and lost World Cup finals through them, at 1994 and 2006.
England’s penalty record since and including Italia ’90 takes in six at major tournaments. 1990, 1996 (twice), 1998, 2004, 2006. We have won one – against Spain in ’96 – and lost five.
Italy also lost a semi-final in 1990, before losing in 1994, 1998 and eventually winning one in 2000 against Holland. They won memorably in 2006 over France before suffering heartbreak against Spain at Euro 2008.
Their record is marginally better than England’s winning two out of six, so between the two nations they have competed in 12 shootouts since and including 1990, winning a combined three times.
This time somebody has to win, for who will it be lucky or unlucky 13?
After Chelsea’s Champions League success through penalties, the luck may be turning to England. If we do win on penalties, Sepp Blatter’s proposal to replace them will surely be fast-tracked…
Will England v Italy go to penalties? If it does will we win?
image: © NathanF
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