Cristiano Ronaldo tucked away a penalty and slammed home a free kick as he set a new record for the most international caps
Thousands of euphoric fans thronged the centre of Rome to hail coach Roberto Mancini and his team
Italy's Dino Zoff, a former European Championship winner, says the Azzurri need a "warm heart and cold blood" to beat England at Wembley in Sunday's Euro 2020 final, having himself played in his country's first ever win in London in 1973.
The old guard, once again, came good for Italy, this time steering the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory, but wily defensive stalwarts Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini cannot go on forever.
Italy's delight at reaching the Euro 2020 semi-finals with Friday's 2-1 win over Belgium was soured by a serious injury to left-back Leonardo Spinazzola who was taken off on a stretcher in the second half and is expected to be out of the tournament.
The home side knew only victory would do for them to grab the final last-16 qualification spot in the group behind Manchester United, and came out for the second half in all-out-attack mode.
The European Football Championship kicked off on Friday, June 11, and with the first round of matches in the league stage of Euro 2020 done and dusted, here's a look at the five best goals thus far.
Argentina marked the revival of the Cup of Champions in style as an inspired Lionel Messi helped them outclass Italy 3-0 in a heavyweight clash billed as the 'Finalissima' at a raucous Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday.
'We could tweak a few things along the way if things do not go to plan, but we have a certain style of play and Belgium do too. I am sure it will be a wonderful game of football. The winner will be the team who makes the fewest errors.'
Trying to pump up excitement, which has been largely missing in Rome in the run up to the kick-off, Italian soccer greats and 2006 World Cup winners Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta welcomed fans at the opening ceremony.
Italy is one of 12 host nations across Europe, and plans for the month-long tournament to go ahead as originally planned have been questioned as COVID-19 continues to spread.
Italy inflicted heartbreak on England to win the Euro 2020 final
In their three group matches, the Azzurri have faced only 12 shots, on or off target, and also have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 11 matches in all competitions, going 1,055 minutes -- 17 hours and 35 minutes -- without conceding since last October.
Fireworks and music broke out across the country after the 3-2 shootout win
With this win Italy have extended their unbeaten run to 29 games, the last 10 coming off wins where they have scored 31 goals and conceded none.
Italy were clinical in their approach as they beat Belgium 2-0 in their Euro 2016 Group E encounter on Monday.
Italy face Turkey at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Friday in the tournament's first match.
Dani Alves appeared to have won the game for Juventus when he headed them in front in the 83rd minute but Remo Freuler pounced to equalise six minutes later as he punished some sloppy defending.
Italy's ability to get over the line in by far their biggest challenge of the Euros so far has made many people on the peninsula more convinced than ever of their ability to go on and win it on Sunday.
Germany suffered their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 20 years
Italy opened their campaign with an emphatic 2-1 win over England in their Group D match in the Amazon city of Manaus on Saturday.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon skipped Sunday's training with a fever and is doubtful for his team's final Euro 2016 group game against Ireland, the Italian federation (FIGC) said on Monday.
Substitute Sebastian Giovinco tapped in a late goal to secure Italy a thrilling 4-3 win over Japan on Wednesday and a semi-final berth in the Confederations Cup.
IMAGES from the football matches played across Europe on Sunday.
Italy would quit the European championship if they were asked to do so for the good of the game, coach Cesare Prandelli said on Friday after match-fixing allegations again tarnished the Azzurri's image.
A summary of Thursday's second leg quarter-final matches in the Europa League.
Antonio Cassano's goal in his first start for six months helped AC Milan to a 4-1 win at Siena on Sunday and kept his team within three points of Serie A leaders Juventus who thumped lowly Novara 4-0.
Italy striker Antonio Cassano has confirmed he is a major doubt for Euro 2012, saying he needs six months to return to action after undergoing emergency heart surgery in November.
As the tournament gets to the next round here's look at the quarter-finalists.
Forget Italy's image of Catenaccio (or "door chain defence"). Antonio Conte's Italy showed in a 2-0 defeat of Spain at Euro 2016 on Monday that they can do unchained attacking football too. The Azzurri, who will take on world champions Germany in a fascinating quarter-final on Saturday, had promised they would not be afraid to go forward against Spain.
The surprise exclusion of Fabio Grosso from Italy's World Cup party has propelled left back Domenico Criscito into the limelight and placated critics demanding more youth in the Azzurri team. The fresh-faced 23-year-old looks just out of school with his shy smile, soft voice and boyish blonde hair.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi refused to accept he had omitted more talented players from his squad after the uninventive world champions were held to a surprise 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Sunday.
World champions Italy need a win against Slovakia on Thursday to ensure they stumble into the World Cup second round and all eyes will be on captain Fabio Cannavaro after mistakes in the first two matches led to goals.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi is not ruling out calling up Francesco Totti after the AS Roma forward said he would be willing to come out of international retirement to play at next year's World Cup.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro came under fire from Jose Mourinho on Thursday after annoying the Inter Milan coach with his career advice for teenage fullback Davide Santon.
Germany on Monday launched their new logo, including the use of term 'die Mannschaft', in an effort to increase international branding of the hugely popular World Cup winners.
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the very best players from what has been an outstanding tournament.
Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died, his long-time club said on Sunday. He was 84.
Lorenzo Insigne curled a quite wonderful shot beyond the reach of Belgium goal-keeper Thibaut Courtois after jinking in from the left flank.
Italy and France face the unpalatable prospect of being eliminated from Euro 2008 on Friday.
