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England Vs Italy: Ranking The 9 Best Kit Matchups Since Italia '90OneFootball
Highlights
There's no doubt about it, England vs Italy is one of football's greatest fixtures, drenched in history. The two countries have shared some epic head-to-head battles over the past 40 years, including the Italia 90 third-place play-off, the famous 1998 World Cup qualifier, and, more recently, the European Championship final in 2020.
The countries have also shared some of their legendary counterparts playing domestically in both the Premier League and Serie A. Think Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola, or Manchester City's Mario Balotelli - still the only Italian to win the Premier League to this day, after setting up Sergio Aguero for that famous goal in 2012. There was Ray Wilkins at AC Milan, David Platt at Juventus and Sampdoria, plus, who can forget Paul Gascoigne, who went over to Italy to wear the blue of SS Lazio in the mid-90s.
As well as the on-field battles, the English and the Italians have been two of the best-dressed international teams over the years. The all-white of England and the Azzurri blue are two of the most recognisable kits in world sport.
When it comes to football fashion, content creator and football shirt collector, Ollyhud, knows his stuff. His insights into the aesthetics and history of football jerseys make his rankings a must-read for kit enthusiasts. From Kappa's iconic skin-tight Italy kit to Umbro's 28-year partnership with the Three Lions, and while both sides continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2024 next year, let us take you through the best England vs Italy kit matchups from the past 40 years.
9 2012: England 0-0 Italy
Let's kick off this list with an absolute thriller of a game at Euro 2012. Just kidding. A bore draw in normal time, Italy took England to penalties where Andrea Pirlo took one of the most memorable Panenka spot kicks of all time, dinking the ball down the middle past a helpless Joe Hart.
The Italian midfield maestro pretty much ran the show throughout the match without ever really getting out of second gear. Much like the game itself, the kits on show were pretty boring and came in at rock bottom of our rankings. He appeared to be completely unphased by the Three Lions midfield right up until the penalty shootout, and even the most loyal of England fans won't argue about how well Pirlo played on the night. A simply scintillating performance.
8 2014: England 1-2 Italy
Into the next major tournament and ANOTHER meeting between the two nations with, you guessed it, the same outcome. You'll notice a pattern as we go down this list, with the Italians breaking English hearts more often than not.
In fact, out of the 31 times the teams have met, Italy have won 13 matches, England nine, with nine draws. The first meeting came in 1933, ending in a 1-1 draw, and Italy didn't manage to beat England until the ninth time of asking, 40 years later in 1973. Since then, it's been the Azzurri who have all the bragging rights.
This was the case in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Both teams went into the tournament as favourites to win the group, which also included Costa Rica and Uruguay. Despite beating England 2-1 in the opener, Italy failed to qualify for the knockout stage. The less said about England, the better.
Even in terms of kits, it was a drab affair. It was England's first tournament in Nike gear and, quite frankly, a rather forgettable plain England shirt. Italy's wasn't great either, reverting to the polo shirt collar but a disappointing effort from Puma as far as Azzurri kits go.
7 2018: England 1-1 Italy
When England hosted Italy at Wembley in 2018, it was in preparation for the World Cup in Russia. Having taken over from Roy Hodgson following the Three Lions' embarrassing defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup was Gareth Southgate's first major tournament as England boss. Little did we know that England were about to embark on their most successful run in major tournaments in history, with a semi-final and a European final on the horizon.
The match ended 1-1, with Jamie Vardy opening the scoring before a late Lorenzo Insigne leveller for the Italians, who had failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1958. Not much happened on the pitch, and the same can be said for the kits. Two dull efforts from the two massive footballing nations.
6 2002: England 1-2 Italy
England vs Italy is usually a straightforward affair; England wear white, and Italy wear blue. However, when the two teams met in 2002, for some reason the Three Lions wore red. Maybe there was a new shirt release that needed marketing before the World Cup...
This England away shirt goes down in the history books as the shirt that David Beckham wore to gain redemption at the 2002 World Cup, scoring that famous penalty to beat Argentina after the heartbreak of 1998. But other than that, a fairly average shirt. This Italy shirt, however... Mamma Mia!
We've placed this kit match up at number six on the list, but not because of Kappa's Italy shirt (don't worry, this shirt reappears further down the list). We feel the England kit brings the quality down a tad.
5 2023: Italy 1-2 England
At five on the list, we have the two current shirts. The most recent meeting was a tense affair at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples. England ran out victorious with goals from Harry Kane and Declan Rice on a memorable night for the Three Lions, putting them in full command of Group C in UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying.
We're used to seeing England in this shirt by now, having reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar World Cup with some memorable performances against Iran, Wales and Senegal. However, we're still unsure about the thought of Italy wearing Adidas.
The Azzurri made the switch from Puma to Adidas earlier in the year and, despite Italy and Adidas already having a historic relationship - Adidas provided Italian kits for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups - there's something not right about seeing the shirt being worn on the pitch.
Anyway, with Adidas' rich history of international kits, we're confident that future releases will hit the mark. You've only got to look at the Germany, Argentina, Sweden and Japan shirts from down the years. The sportswear giant has created some of football's most iconic shirts, and it's only a matter of time before they get things right with Italy—still, a decent effort.
4 2021: England 1-1 Italy
The Euro 2020 final is the match that the build-up promised a lot. Wembley Stadium, under the famous arch, the Three Lions in a major final for the first time since 1966 and the wild scenes inside Wembley after beating Denmark. However, the story did not go according to plan. England took the lead, Italy equalised, and the game went to a penalty shoot-out. You know the rest (sorry, England fans!).
However heartbreaking this game was for the Three Lions faithful, and the questionable decisions that took place in the game as far as the hosts were concerned, it was the best kit match-up in recent years. Italy's will go down as a modern classic and England's is probably the best we've had in the Nike era, despite fans of both teams having different memories of this game.
3 1997: Italy 0-0 England
In 1997, England and Italy faced each other three - yes, THREE - times, and the scores turned out pretty even. Italy won the first game 1-0. England then won the second 2-0 in Le Tornoi, but the most important result was 0-0 in Rome. A game that sealed England's place at France in 1998.
It was a memorable result for England, with Paul Ince, Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham all part of Glenn Hoddle's squad, but also a couple of memorable kits. England in Umbro. Italy in Nike. Some classic '90s collars on show. What a match-up!
2 1990: Italy 2-1 England
Italia 90 was known for its football shirts. The tournament had quite possibly the best selection on show compared to any tournament, ever! England's trio of home, away and third shirts are widely regarded as the Three Lions' best-ever kit combinations, with the third now a cult classic and fan favourite.
Italy's Diadora design wasn't bad either. The Italians ended up beating England in the third place play-off on home soil thanks to goals from Roberto Baggio and Salvatore Schillaci, in between David Platt's second-half strike. Who could forget the iconic scene of Paul Gascoigne crying? A man who charmed an entire nation despite finding himself on the losing team on the night, and has some amazing stories from this tournament.
1 2000: Italy 1-0 England
At number one we have two beauties! One that we've seen already in this list (see number 6), and another one that is one of England's greatest-ever kits. In our opinion, anyway.
Let's start with Italy's kit, which they wore for two tournaments - Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002. A minimalistic masterpiece from Kappa, with a simple tricolour badge, a plain blue design and the Kappa logo on the sleeves. On top of this, a skin-tight material that would revolutionise football shirts. And don't get me started on the all-white away shirt... Bellissimo.
And then, there's England's shirt, crafted by Umbro. A kit that just screams 90s football. The faint pattern on the shirt, the Umbro badge running down the sleeves, the crew neck. But the thing that made these Three Lions shirts so iconic were the red namesets. Absolute beauties!
The two countries had contrasting tournaments at Euro 2000, with England eventually losing out on second place in the group to European giants Romania - yes, Romania. Although Germany did finish bottom of the group, so every cloud and all that. The Italians went on to the final, eventually losing out to France through a David Trezeguet Golden Goal.
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The Best Flag Football Sets For A Fun-Filled Game
Many parents have played tackle football as kids, so they know that football could get very physical, and there could be a lot of arguments about whether a player was touched with two hands or not.
With the desire of parents to have their kids avoid both arguments and injuries, and with the increased concern among parents about head injuries from tackle football, the popularity of youth flag football has risen in recent years.
Flag football is a version of American tackle football, but it is played without any contact between players. This way, the kids will avoid any contact with the opponent, drastically lowering the chance of injury.
The number of flag football equipment choices has increased in response to the demand. So picking the right flag football kit might be challenging. Let's have a peek at some of the main factors to think about before you choose a set for your kid(s).
What Should You Consider Before Buying a Flag Football Kit? QuantityOne of the most important criteria to consider is the number of belts and flags needed. This depends on the number of players you want on each team. Team sizes can vary from as little as three to as many as 11 to aside.
So, for example, if you will be playing 5 players in each team, you will be required to have 10 flags in total. Also, be sure to consider getting some extra flags as well, because both of the belts and flags can break. This will help you avoid having to order more afterward.
DurabilityDurability is always something that separates high-quality equipment from all the normal gear. Every equipment seller will tell you that their products are durable, but to see it for yourself, be sure to look at the flag football kit carefully and read the reviews from other people.
GameBefore you end up spending money and buy the flag football kit, be sure that you or your kids know how to play the game. So go ahead and search online to see how the game is played and see whether you like it or not.
How Much Does a Flag Football Kit Cost?The flag football kit will cost you anywhere from $20 to $200, which depends on many factors. It will depend on the number of equipment, brand, additional features, etc. We suggest that you look for a football kit somewhere in the middle.
How Did We Choose the Best Flag Football Kit?We have gone through many flag football kits, but we wanted to make a list out of only the best ones. All of the products listed in our review have passed a few criteria:
Customer ratingsAfter all, this is maybe the most important factor for us. The customer is a great way to see whether the flag football kit is worth it.
QualityWe have researched only flag football sets known for quality rather than presenting you with something cheap.
BrandThere are a lot of companies selling flag football kits; we've tried to include only the best brands available.
What Is the Most Important Equipment in a Flag Football Kit?It is always important to know the essential equipment needed to play flag football. So make a list of what equipment you might want and cross-check the lists with the packages you are thinking of purchasing. Here is the most important equipment:
FlagsThe flag belts are the most crucial piece of equipment in the flag football kit. Whenever someone pulls your flag, it means that they have successfully caught you. They can appear as simply flagged belts that detach when pulled or flagged sonic belts that emit noise. The simple belts are relatively more affordable and easy to use for amateur play, while the sound emitting belts help in knowing when a player is down and are better suited to leagues and official play.
FootballIt is important to pick the correct football size, and that will all depend mainly on the age of the players and whether the game is casual or part of a formal league.
The football can vary in size, patterns, and materials, affecting grip, texture, and durability. Some of these sets come with a football included, but most people prefer to choose their football even in those cases.
For example, if the football is too big for your kids, they will have a hard time holding it with both hands, drastically affecting the gameplay.
JerseyIn order to play the game, you would need two teams, as well as two different colored jerseys. So be sure that your flag football kit has jerseys included in the set. Flag football jerseys can be as simple as basic primary colored shirts or as complex as league football jerseys, depending on the level of competing play.
MouthguardThis is the only protective equipment that players wear when playing flag football. Even though there isn't any contact, we recommend that you pick a set with mouthguards included because it is always good having additional protection, just in case.
ConclusionIn this guide, we have revealed the most important equipment for flag football and things to look for before buying them. We hope our guide on the best flag football kits has helped you understand what to look for. Have fun!
The World's Most Wild And Stylish Kits Of The 2023-24 Season
Did ChatGPT nail this all-time best XI? (1:28)Gab and Juls react to ChatGPT's picks for an all-time best football XI. (1:28)
Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerOct 11, 2023, 07:00 PM
With the 2023-24 campaign now fully up and running, football fans have had the chance to witness a wide variety of new kits worn by clubs in the Premier League and those European giants competing in the Champions League, whether they are drenched in the afternoon sunlight of a 3 p.M. Kick-off or resplendent under the floodlights in a midweek evening clash.
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From Real Madrid's gorgeous "infinity" away shirt to Manchester United piling stripes upon stripes upon stripes on their own second kit, Europe's top clubs have given us plenty of designs that are memorable, be it for the right or wrong reasons.
However, many of this season's most eye-catching jerseys have evaded the attention of a wider audience, especially those being worn by clubs playing in the lower divisions and less-heralded leagues around the world.
Here we take a look at the teams from around the world who have made it their business to produce some of the most stylish, as well as some of the downright wildest, kits for the 2023-24 season.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Stylish Venezia (Kappa)Home: Venezia have forged something of a name for themselves in recent years for producing some of the most elegant designs you'll find anywhere. The 2023-24 home and away jerseys utilise the Italian club's traditional colours, with the home resplendent in prim striping and gilded trim.
Away: The away shirt sees the Venezia colours reversed, with a pristine white bed adorned with nothing beyond a green-and-orange offset bar and another scattering of shimmering gold embellishments.
Third: The third kit is perhaps the most noteworthy as it is inspired directly by the famous striped uniforms worn by the gondoliers who navigate the canals of Venice. The black-and-white bars are topped off with an exquisite red fold-over collar. In fact, all that's missing is the traditional straw boater hat.
Athens Kallithea FC (Kappa)Home: Leaning heavily on the Venezia template, Kappa have created an equally fashionable set of kits for Greek second tier side Athens Kallithea. The home jersey is a navy design with an almost satin-like sheen, delicate pinstripes, button collar and elbow-length sleeves.
Away: A lesson in minimalism, the away shirt has fine navy pinstripes adorning a fresh white bed which is all set off nicely by the burnished gold trim. Just to top the whole thing off, the club are also sponsored by the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (ΕΜΣΤ) -- it's not often a football club wears the name of a cultural institution so proudly.
Marseille (Puma)Third: Perfectly timed to coincide with the changing of the seasons, there is a distinct autumnal feel to Marseille's latest third kit. However, the orange camouflage design is actually intended to reflect what L'OM refer to as the "Peuple Volcanique" -- the flare-wielding supporters who regularly transform their Stade Velodrome into a thronging pit of fire and flame.
ASD Boreale (Ezeta)Home: Italian club FC Boreale have gone way back in time to inspire a batch of kits that are smothered with ornate designs based on historic works of religious art. Treading a fine line between flowery flamboyance and outright gaudiness, Boreale have walked that thin line well with a home kit that draws inspiration from the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, which took place in Rome in 312 AD.
Away: All four of Boreale's new shirts have been designed in conjunction with Rome-based football design studio Ezeta, who used an ancient etching of the battle to adorn the home and fourth kit while the away and third jerseys are festooned with the Golden Cross which was dedicated to Emperor Constatine after his victory.
Third:
Fourth:
Walthamstow FC (Admiral)Home: Non-league London club Walthamstow FC caused quite a stir in football kit circles last month when they unveiled their ultra-decadent new shirts for the 2023-24 produced in collaboration with the William Morris Gallery.
Away: Morris was a British textile designer famed and one of the most famous exponents of the Arts and Crafts style popular in the mid-19th century. Ahead of the new Isthmian League North Division season, Walthamstow delved into the William Morris Gallery archives and selected the "Yare" pattern for their shirts. Yare was originally created by John Henry Dearle in around 1892. Dearle was trained by Morris and later became an acclaimed textile designer in his own right.
Wildest FC Volendam (Robey)Away: With all taste and decency heaved well and truly out of the window, Dutch club Volendam have covered their garish 2023-24 away shirt in eels. Yes -- eels. Neon blue eels. The slippery strip has been dubbed the "Palingshirt" ("Eel Kit") and also features a small embroidered image of one of the many statues of fishermen that are situated along the city's harbour.
Norwich City (Joma)Third: For reasons unknown, Norwich have chosen to resurrect one of their ugliest-ever kits by recycling the strange purple "crackle" graphic that first appeared on the sleeves of their old 1992-94 Ribero away kit and plastering it all over their new third shirt. The result is a barrage of zigs, zags, crinkles and crags that are already starting to induce a migraine.
As you can see, the original design was hardly one that many people at the time could see being resurrected three decades later, but nostalgia does funny things to a football fan.
Seattle Sounders (Adidas)There are some extremely weird and wonderful entrants in the 2023 MLS kit rundown but none are remotely as wild as the Sounders' new "Bruce Lee" tribute shirt. Celebrating the life and times of the martial arts master, who moved to Seattle from Hong Kong in 1959, it's perhaps fitting that the bewildering, intensely over-engineered jersey hits you like a inch-punch to the cerebral cortex.
Sharktopus FC (Olive & York)As their name suggests, Seattle-based amateur club Sharktopus FC have fused the twin marine threat of the shark and the octopus to launch a razor-toothed, eight-limbed assault on the 2024 US Open Cup, from which they are currently two games away from qualifying.
Even more terrifying than their name is their latest kit which features a gaudy pattern made up of a mass of pink Kraken-esque tentacles thrashing and writhing amid the boiling maelstrom of the Puget Sound.
Reading (Macron)Third: Reading have really been saddled with a stinker thanks to a third kit that pays dubious "homage" to one of the town's most popular music venues. Indeed, in doffing their cap to The Purple Turtle, with the help of Reading-based rock band The Amazons, the Royals have created a grim, overly literal shell design that is almost certain to become a staple of the "horror kit" oeuvre for years to come.
Bolasatukankita PalembangWith a novelty design so hilariously bad that it almost -- almost -- circles all the way back around to being a work of genius, Indonesian side Bolasatukankita Palembang recently unveiled a stunning new kit that comes complete with a "collar," "tie" and "belt."
Perhaps they were inspired by Cultural Leonesa, the Spanish club who in 2015 unveiled their infamous "tuxedo" kit? Or maybe this is proof that the same bad idea can be thought up by two different groups of people, independent of each other?
Either way, they should have left this design concept on the rack.
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