Penalty shoot outs are technical draws. The 5-2 loss in the Nation's League, however, was a plain loss. The USSR was the same for Italy. Italy never beat it in an official game. The 1968 Euro semi-final in Naples, 0-0 after extra time, was "won" by Italy with a coin toss, but technically a draw.

Italy in tournaments were a thorn to Germany 1962, 1970, 1982 and 2006 World Cups. Also Euro 88, 96 and 2012. Germany overcame Italy finally on penalties Euro 2016.

Definitely not like matches today, in England, everyone dives to the pitch at the slightest touch, pretends to be mortally wounded, then gets up and runs after no card/penalty/free kick awarded.

The distinction between international friendlies and qualifiers is largely a 21st century phenomenon. Back then almost every international was viewed with great importance

Football was more tribal back then...its lost its meaning now. Holland v Germany in 2032 will be majority African players who dont care about WW2 history

@@randyborstol2491 I have been following the matches of European teams since the eighties. There was only Vive Anderson with England and Marius Tresor with France, then Ruud Collett and Frank Rijkaard appeared with Holland after that, but now the matter has gone beyond the required limit. You find 5 or more players who are not from the original country

I think it's named Partenio in Avellino

john motson

@@nanuJoe1967 thank you. When this era of English footie was shown in the states, he was the man !