Top 10 Azzurri goals
Some legendary Italians have struck both beautiful and vital goals in World Cup history. Dave Taylor gives you his Top 10 Azzurri strikes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: Roberto Baggio v Czechoslovakia, 1990
Roberto Baggio’s World Cup debut against Czechoslovakia climaxed with what many saw as the goal of the tournament. With 10 minutes left on the clock he exchanged passes with Giuseppe Giannini, before dodging the lunging Kadlec on the half-way line. Setting off on a tremendous solo run, the quicksilver 'Divin Codino’ left several more defenders behind before calmly executing a nonchalant slide rule strike past goalkeeper Jans Stejskal. The new prince of Italian football had shown home fans what they could expect in the future.
2: Paolo Rossi v Brazil, 1982
It’s difficult to separate any of Rossi’s goals in this vitally important game, so I make no apologies for picking all three. The Azzurri were in need of a hero to see them through to the semi-finals, so it was time for Rossi to take centre stage. His first came early on when the Brazilian defence missed him as he arrogantly rose to head home a perfect cross from Antonio Cabrini. Rossi took advantage of a Toninho Cerezo error to make it two in the first half, but his third goal – with the score at 2-2 – didn’t come until the 74th minute, as he completed his hat-trick by cleverly deflecting a Marco Tardelli shot past Peres.
3: Marco Tardelli v West Germany, 1982
In the 69th minute Gaetano Scirea launched a swift counter attack from the Azzurri half with a cross-field ball to the right flank for Alessandro Altobelli. The Inter forward sidestepped Briegel and gave it to Paolo Rossi, who played some exquisite one touch football with the by now galloping Scirea, who set up Tardelli from the right. The Juventus midfielder fired in a thunderbolt from an angle as he fell, and the ball flashed by Toni Schumacher into the back of the net. Tardelli’s utter joy on his wide-eyed screaming run still remains one of the most dramatic images of Italian football history.
4: Gigi Riva v West Germany, 1970
With the score at 2-2 in this epic clash, Gigi Riva took matters into his own hands to score the goal of the tournament in the 104th minute. On a breathless counter attack involving Angelo Domenghini and Gianni Rivera, Domenghini crossed from the left and inevitably Riva was on hand to run on to it. Italy’s ace controlled it with his first touch before striking gold with a superb low finish to score his 22nd goal in 21 games.
5: Gianni Rivera v West Germany, 1970
This thrilling semi-final has now passed into legend as arguably the greatest World Cup game ever. With the score at 3-3 in extra time, the Germans were cut to ribbons by the swiftness of the Azzurri move in the 112th minute. Giacinto Facchetti’s perfect pass found Roberto Boninsegna, who exploded past German defender Willi Schulz to reach the by-line. From outside the area he pulled it back for the unmarked Rivera to lash home past 'keeper Sepp Maier. It put Italy in a World Cup Final for the first time in 32 years and also marked the first time in World Cup history that five goals had been scored in extra time.
6: Raimondo Orsi v Czechoslovakia, 1934
Czechoslovakia were leading 1-0 with less than 10 minutes to go with the whole of Italy praying for a miracle. Step up Juventus striker Orsi, who collected the ball in full flight and swooped past several static Czech defenders. Speeding towards goal, he shaped to shoot with his left but chipped in a stunning goal with his right foot. Without the benefit of TV, an editor wanted to give Italians an historical record. He sent a photographer the following day in an attempt to record the strike for posterity. Orsi spent several hours trying to recreate the goal with that clever feint with his left foot, but ultimately failed.
7: Paolo Rossi v West Germany, 1982
With the score at 0-0, Tardelli took a quick free-kick to find the unmarked Claudio Gentile out on the right flank. His cross from outside the area was just missed by Alessandro Altobelli but Rossi launched himself at the ball. The ensuing header powered past a distressed Toni Schumacher in the German goal to put Italy in the driving seat.
8: Roberto Baggio v Chile, 1998
Italy were losing 2-1 to Chile when Roberto Baggio’s cross in the 85th minute was handled by a Chilean defender. Penalty! Could Baggio save the Azzurri? A nation got down on its knees and held its breath. Could Roby hold his nerve after the heartbreak in Pasadena four years earlier? 'Il Divin Codino’ calmly placed the ball and with utter majesty hit the sweet spot to fire home the equaliser between the diving Tapia and the post. It may have not been his best strike, but it was utterly vital for the Azzurri.
9: Roberto Baggio v Spain, 1994
With just two minutes left of this quarter-final match and the score at 1-1, Baggio came to the Azzurri’s rescue again. Just moments after Julio Salinas missed the target on a Spanish breakaway, Baggio picked up the ball and sped off. Bearing down on the Spanish goal, he coolly rounded 'keeper Andoni Zubizaretta, to slot in his fourth goal of the Finals to take Italy safely through to the semi-final stage.
10: Christian Vieri v Ecuador, 2002
Christian Vieri netted four goals at this disappointing tournament for La Nazionale, yet none of them were as hot as his first against Ecuador. Christian Panucci fired a long ball up to Francesco Totti, who ran to the by-line and cut the ball back for Vieri. The Inter striker, running in hard down the centre, picked his spot and smashed a terrific effort past Cevallos into the top corner.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/2006/itatop10.html
Some legendary Italians have struck both beautiful and vital goals in World Cup history. Dave Taylor gives you his Top 10 Azzurri strikes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: Roberto Baggio v Czechoslovakia, 1990
Roberto Baggio’s World Cup debut against Czechoslovakia climaxed with what many saw as the goal of the tournament. With 10 minutes left on the clock he exchanged passes with Giuseppe Giannini, before dodging the lunging Kadlec on the half-way line. Setting off on a tremendous solo run, the quicksilver 'Divin Codino’ left several more defenders behind before calmly executing a nonchalant slide rule strike past goalkeeper Jans Stejskal. The new prince of Italian football had shown home fans what they could expect in the future.
2: Paolo Rossi v Brazil, 1982
It’s difficult to separate any of Rossi’s goals in this vitally important game, so I make no apologies for picking all three. The Azzurri were in need of a hero to see them through to the semi-finals, so it was time for Rossi to take centre stage. His first came early on when the Brazilian defence missed him as he arrogantly rose to head home a perfect cross from Antonio Cabrini. Rossi took advantage of a Toninho Cerezo error to make it two in the first half, but his third goal – with the score at 2-2 – didn’t come until the 74th minute, as he completed his hat-trick by cleverly deflecting a Marco Tardelli shot past Peres.
3: Marco Tardelli v West Germany, 1982
In the 69th minute Gaetano Scirea launched a swift counter attack from the Azzurri half with a cross-field ball to the right flank for Alessandro Altobelli. The Inter forward sidestepped Briegel and gave it to Paolo Rossi, who played some exquisite one touch football with the by now galloping Scirea, who set up Tardelli from the right. The Juventus midfielder fired in a thunderbolt from an angle as he fell, and the ball flashed by Toni Schumacher into the back of the net. Tardelli’s utter joy on his wide-eyed screaming run still remains one of the most dramatic images of Italian football history.
4: Gigi Riva v West Germany, 1970
With the score at 2-2 in this epic clash, Gigi Riva took matters into his own hands to score the goal of the tournament in the 104th minute. On a breathless counter attack involving Angelo Domenghini and Gianni Rivera, Domenghini crossed from the left and inevitably Riva was on hand to run on to it. Italy’s ace controlled it with his first touch before striking gold with a superb low finish to score his 22nd goal in 21 games.
5: Gianni Rivera v West Germany, 1970
This thrilling semi-final has now passed into legend as arguably the greatest World Cup game ever. With the score at 3-3 in extra time, the Germans were cut to ribbons by the swiftness of the Azzurri move in the 112th minute. Giacinto Facchetti’s perfect pass found Roberto Boninsegna, who exploded past German defender Willi Schulz to reach the by-line. From outside the area he pulled it back for the unmarked Rivera to lash home past 'keeper Sepp Maier. It put Italy in a World Cup Final for the first time in 32 years and also marked the first time in World Cup history that five goals had been scored in extra time.
6: Raimondo Orsi v Czechoslovakia, 1934
Czechoslovakia were leading 1-0 with less than 10 minutes to go with the whole of Italy praying for a miracle. Step up Juventus striker Orsi, who collected the ball in full flight and swooped past several static Czech defenders. Speeding towards goal, he shaped to shoot with his left but chipped in a stunning goal with his right foot. Without the benefit of TV, an editor wanted to give Italians an historical record. He sent a photographer the following day in an attempt to record the strike for posterity. Orsi spent several hours trying to recreate the goal with that clever feint with his left foot, but ultimately failed.
7: Paolo Rossi v West Germany, 1982
With the score at 0-0, Tardelli took a quick free-kick to find the unmarked Claudio Gentile out on the right flank. His cross from outside the area was just missed by Alessandro Altobelli but Rossi launched himself at the ball. The ensuing header powered past a distressed Toni Schumacher in the German goal to put Italy in the driving seat.
8: Roberto Baggio v Chile, 1998
Italy were losing 2-1 to Chile when Roberto Baggio’s cross in the 85th minute was handled by a Chilean defender. Penalty! Could Baggio save the Azzurri? A nation got down on its knees and held its breath. Could Roby hold his nerve after the heartbreak in Pasadena four years earlier? 'Il Divin Codino’ calmly placed the ball and with utter majesty hit the sweet spot to fire home the equaliser between the diving Tapia and the post. It may have not been his best strike, but it was utterly vital for the Azzurri.
9: Roberto Baggio v Spain, 1994
With just two minutes left of this quarter-final match and the score at 1-1, Baggio came to the Azzurri’s rescue again. Just moments after Julio Salinas missed the target on a Spanish breakaway, Baggio picked up the ball and sped off. Bearing down on the Spanish goal, he coolly rounded 'keeper Andoni Zubizaretta, to slot in his fourth goal of the Finals to take Italy safely through to the semi-final stage.
10: Christian Vieri v Ecuador, 2002
Christian Vieri netted four goals at this disappointing tournament for La Nazionale, yet none of them were as hot as his first against Ecuador. Christian Panucci fired a long ball up to Francesco Totti, who ran to the by-line and cut the ball back for Vieri. The Inter striker, running in hard down the centre, picked his spot and smashed a terrific effort past Cevallos into the top corner.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/2006/itatop10.html
Buy on AliExpress.com
) than we are dedicated to some other football happenings just like WC or EC,and I'm supporting Italian NT.
supporting Juve=supporting Italy
