Germany–Italy football rivalry

The national football teams of Germany and Italy, two of the most successful football nations in Europe and in the world, are long-time rivals. On the overall, the two teams have achieved eight World Cup victories and a total of fourteen appearances in the final of the tournament – more than all the other European nations combined. They have played against each other five times in the World Cup, and most of these matches have been notable in the history of the tournament. The Partita del secolo / Jahrhundertspiel, or "Game of the Century", a 1970 semi-final between the two countries that Italy won 4–3, was so dramatic that it is commemorated by a plaque at the entrance of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico.