San Siro is one of football’s most atmospheric arenas. For AC Milan and Inter Milan it is a cathedral, but for the Italian national team it has also been a fortress, hosting nights of grit, brilliance, and historic triumphs.
Here are the Azzurri’s greatest wins at San Siro, ranked.
6. Italy 2–0 Netherlands, 2014 – A Friendly with Bite
- Goals: Ciro Immobile (3’), Daniele De Rossi (10’)
- Summary: A quick-fire double stunned the Dutch, who had reached the World Cup final just four years earlier. Even in a friendly, San Siro demanded theatre, and Italy obliged.
5. Italy 2–1 Norway, 2005 – Building Towards Glory
- Goals: Mauro Camoranesi (19’), John Arne Riise (58’), Christian Vieri (79’)
- Summary: Norway looked set to frustrate the Azzurri after equalising, but Vieri’s late strike sealed a vital qualifier win. This result helped propel Italy towards the 2006 World Cup, which they would go on to win.
4. Italy 1–0 England, 1973 – European Rivals Collide
- Goal: Fabio Capello (86’)
- Summary: A late Capello strike broke English resistance in front of a roaring San Siro crowd. England’s dreams were crushed in the cauldron of Milan, and Italy marched on in their World Cup quest.
3. Italy 3–0 Brazil, 1963 – Beating the Best
- Goals: Gigi Riva (15’), Sandro Mazzola (41’), Gianni Rivera (70’)
- Summary: Taking on the reigning world champions, Italy produced a masterclass. Beating Pelé’s Brazil may not have been a competitive fixture, but the symbolism was enormous. Italy showed they could match flair with firepower.
2. Italy 2–1 Austria, 1934 – A World Cup Dress Rehearsal
- Goals: Giuseppe Meazza (22’), Raimundo Orsi (53’), Matthias Sindelar (67’)
- Summary: In the build-up to their first World Cup triumph, Italy saw off Austria’s famous Wunderteam at San Siro. Meazza’s opener and Orsi’s strike gave the Azzurri confidence ahead of their historic 1934 victory.
1. Italy 4–2 Hungary, 1938 – European Crown Secured
- Goals: Silvio Piola (2’, 34’), Gino Colaussi (11’, 82’), György Sárosi (35’), Gyula Zsengellér (70’)
- Summary: This Central European International Cup decider was as fierce as any final. Italy’s forwards ran riot, with Piola and Colaussi both netting braces. The win gave Italy continental glory and cemented San Siro as their fortress.
More Than Just Victories
San Siro has seen heartbreak too, not least the infamous 2017 play-off draw with Sweden that denied Italy a place at the World Cup. Yet it remains a ground where victories echo louder than defeats. When the Azzurri win in Milan, it feels less like three points and more like a piece of footballing history.
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