France vs Italy: 5 Classic Clashes

Ahead of Italy's clash with France in Lyon tonight, we look back at 5 classic matches between two countries who have combined to win a half dozen World Cups and a host of other honors.

2000 European Championships Final: France 2-1 Italy (aet)

In Rotterdam, France conceded first in this epic final, and trailed until the third minute of added time, when Sylvain Wiltord struck an equalizer. In extra time, the tide turned decisively and David Trezeguet scored a "golden goal" to end the match and hand France their second European title.

2006 World Cup Final: Italy 1-1 France (5-3 pen)

In another momentous final, France forced extra time despite the sending off of Zinedine Zidane, the legendary playmaker featuring in his last match. In the shootout, Trezeguet, the second taker, would miss his penalty, while Italy made all five of theirs, handing the Azzurri their most recent major title.

1998 World Cup Quarterfinal: Italy 0-0 France (3-4 pen)

France would go on to claim their first World Cup in 1998, but they had to get past a battling Italy side in Paris in what was one of their toughest challenges of the tournament. Fabien Barthez and his opposite number, Gianluca Pagliuca, each made a save in the shootout, but the match was decided by a miss from Luigi Di Biagio.

1986 World Cup Round of 16: Italy 0-2 France

Italy were defending champions in Mexico, but they were no match for a team led by the "Carré Magique" of Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez. Platini scored a brilliant opener after just fifteen minutes and France cruised to a comfortable win with Toulouse's Yannick Stopyra adding a goal early in the second half. France, the defending European champions at the time, would go on to finish third in the tournament,

1938 World Cup Quarterfinal: France 1-3 Italy

For our final match, we go all the way back to what was only the third World Cup ever played, in a match that pitted the hosts against Italy, the defending champions. Gino Colaussi, who would score four goals over the course of the tournament, hit the opener in Paris, but Strasbourg striker Oscar Heisserer responded just a minute later. The match stayed level until the second half, when Silvio Piola fired in a double for the win, allowing Italy to progress in a tournament they would eventually win.