Victory for the defending champions in South Africa would draw them level with the mighty Brazil as five-time winners of the biggest tournament in world sport.

But what would set Italy ahead of every other country's achievements is the fact that, along with their record-equalling five titles, they would become the only nation to successfully defend their crown not once, but twice.

World Cup Winners

Italy first achieved that feat back in the 1930s, when they defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 in their home tournament of 1934 and backed up with a 4-2 win over France in 1938.