Video of the Week: Italy-Brazil

By: Francesco | February 5th, 2009

With the big hype surrounding the Italy-Brazil friendly this coming Tuesday, I thought it would be a good idea to show all the big games Italy and Brazil have played against each other. As we all know, Italy and Brazil have won the most World Cups (Brazil has 5, Italy has 4). But you could also say that Italy has always had an admiration for Brazilian soccer and vice-versa. It’s no coincidence that so many Brazilian players have graced the pitches of Serie A over the years. That’s why presently in Italy an Italian player with excellent technical ability is almost always described as having the “technique of a Brazilian player”. Italy, known historically for it’s great defense and goalkeeping, admired Brazil, known historically for its attacking flair and joyful way of playing, and the opposite. Of course we know that’s all changed, as in the present day Italy isn’t producing as many world class defenders and goalkeepers as it once did but instead has loads of attacking talent while Brazil are producing quality defenders and goalkeepers (who play in Serie A) and there attacking talent is on the decline. Italy and Brazil last did battle in 1997 at the Tournoi de France, and after 12 years they will get to do battle yet again. Let’s hope this game lives up to the hype. Videos after the jump.

ITALY-BRAZIL 3-2: WORLD CUP 1982
Italy, after a slow start to the World Cup, found themselves facing Brazil and Argentina in the second group stage (different format back then). Italy needed to win at all costs to advance, while one of the best Brazil sides of all time needed just a draw to go through. Paolo Rossi was the hero of the day, scoring all 3 goals and sending the Azzurri to further glory. (Years later, Rossi entitled his autobiography “I made Brazil cry”)

BRAZIL-ITALY 0-0 (3-2 PKs): WORLD CUP 1994
Carried to the final by the heroics of Roberto Baggio, Italy met a tough Brazil side in the final. Both sides battled in the heat but could not break the deadlock. The game went to overtime and subsequently penalty kicks (the first ever World Cup to be decided by a shootout.) We all know how it ended, Roberto Baggio distraught at the penalty spot. We wish this happened.

ITALY-BRAZIL 3-3: 1997 TOURNOI DE FRANCE
In the summer of 1997 France hosted this friendly tournament to serve as a warm-up for the 1998 World Cup. England, France, Brazil, and Italy competed in a round-robin style format. The best game of the tournament was Italy-Brazil, an exciting 3-3 draw. A young Alessandro Del Piero grabbed two goals. (Here was our tournament roster).