1970- Italy in World Cup final (lost to Brazil)

1976- missing (European Championship in Yugoslavia, but had a completely different format than today’s)

1978, 1980 – see below

1982- Italy in World Cup final (won against Germany)

1988- Italy in European Championship semi-final (lost to the USSR)

1990  - see below

1994- Italy in World Cup final (lost to Brazil)

2000- Italy in European Championship final (lost to France)

2006- Italy in World Cup final (won against France)

2012- Italy in European Championship final

Outside the rule, Italy reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1978 (finished fourth having lost the Netherlands and Brazil); the European Championship semi-finals in 1980 (finished fourth having lost to Czechoslovakia); the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 (finished fourth having lost to Argentina and then won against England).