Head-to-head
The two former World Cup winners have met 24 times, England winning 8, Italy winning 9 and 7 ending in draws.
The only previous World Cup meeting between these two nations came in the third-place play-off in 1990 when Italy won 2-1.
England have only won two of their last 11 internationals against Italy, losing six plus the penalty shootout defeat at Euro 2012.
Roy Hodgson’s side won 2-1 when the sides last met, in a friendly in Switzerland in August 2012.
England
England have only lost two of their last 16 World Cup games (W7, D7), excluding penalty shoot-outs.
Excluding shootouts, England have scored all eight World Cup penalties.
Frank Lampard has had more shots without scoring than any other player at World Cups since 1966 (39 shots, no goals).
Wayne Rooney, England’s top scorer in qualifying with seven goals, is yet to score in a World Cup finals. This will be his ninth appearance.He has not scored a goal in 594 minutes of World Cup football for the Three Lions.England talisman Rooney has scored in all six competitive games since Euro 2012, however (seven goals).
Leighton Baines provided three assists during qualifying, more than any other England player.
England have lost only one of 15 matches played overseas under Hodgson (W6, D8).
Eighteen-year-old Luke Shaw is the second-youngest player at the World Cup behind Cameroon’s Fabrice Olinga.
Italy
Italy emerged unbeaten in World Cup qualifying for the fourth time in their last five attempts.
Only Brazil (20) have appeared in more World Cups than Italy and Germany (both 18).
Italy have scored in each of their last 14 games at the World Cup, the longest current run. The last time they failed to score was on 3 July 1998 against France.
Seven of Italy’s last 17 goals at the World Cup have been scored from corners (41%).
Italy have conceded 14 goals from outside the penalty area at the World Cup, more than any other nation since 1966.
The class of 2014 are England’s second-youngest World Cup squad in history, behind the squad of 1958 squad – which was one of just two occasions the Three Lions have failed to make it out of the group stage. The other, of course, was 1950, the only previous time the World Cup was played in Brazil.
England v Italy.
Italy have conceded 14 goals from outside the box at the World Cup, more than any other team since 1966.
Current form
England are ranked number 10 according to the current FIFA ranking, while Italy are the World number 9
The last 5 matches by England
07.06.2014 England – Honduras 0:0
04.06.2014 Ecuador – England 2:2 (1:1)
30.05.2014 England – Peru 3:0 (1:0)
05.03.2014 England – Denmark 1:0 (0:0)
19.11.2013 England – Germany 0:1 (0:1)
They have won 2, lost 2 of their last 5 games
The last 5 matches by Italy
04.06.2014 Italy – Luxembourg 1:1 (1:0)
31.05.2014 Italy – Ireland 0:0
05.03.2014 Spain – Italy 1:0 (0:0)
18.11.2013 Italy – Nigeria 2:2 (1:2)
15.11.2013 Italy – Germany 1:1 (1:1)
They have won 1 and drawn 4 of their last 5 matches
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